Fatigue sensation, electromyographical and hemodynamic changes of low back muscles during repeated static contraction

The effects of work strategy and a rest condition on the physiological changes of the erector spinae muscle were studied. Eleven volunteers repeated fatiguing static contractions of holding an industrial box in 30° trunk flexion for a repetition of 12 times interrupted by rests for which the duration was equal to the duration of each preceding contraction. Each contraction was stopped at two fatigue sensation levels; moderate or strong, which corresponded to Borg's CR-10 3 and 5, as the work strategy conditions. The repeated contractions were performed for a total of eight conditions combined with the two rest conditions, with and without stretch exercise, and two contraction levels of 10 and 40% maximum pulling force in flexed posture (MVC) on separate days. Near-infrared spectroscopy and surface electromyography (EMG) were recorded. Amplitude and median frequency (MF) of EMG, oxy-hemoglobin, and deoxy-hemoglobin were calculated. MF related to fatigue sensation most closely. Oxy-hemoglobin decreased during each contraction. It, however, increased with repetition especially at 10% MVC and the increase was interpreted as adaptation to the work. The effect of the work strategy and the rest conditions was weak. MF decreased more in a strong work strategy condition than in a moderate one.