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Relation between muscle activation pattern and pain: an explorative study in a bassists population
Kees H Woldendorp1, Pieter van de Werk, Anne M Boonstra
1Revalidatie Friesland Centre for Rehabilitation, Beetsterzwaag, The Netherlands. k.h.woldendorp@revalidatie-friesland.nl
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|December 11, 2012
Summary
Muscle activation patterns did not differ between bassists with and without pain. This suggests that increased muscle activity or fatigue during playing is unlikely to cause pain in these musicians.
Area of Science:
- Music performance science
- Occupational health
- Biomechanical analysis
Background:
- Musicians, particularly bassists, often report pain during or after playing.
- Previous assumptions linked this pain to increased muscle activation or fatigue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between muscle activation patterns and pain complaints in student bass guitarists.
- To test the hypothesis that pain is associated with heightened muscle activity or accelerated fatigue.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 36 student bassists.
- Surface electromyography (sEMG) measured muscle activation (%MVC and slope) in the trapezius and flexor carpi radialis.
- Pain was assessed using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS).
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were found in muscle activation levels (%MVC) or the rate of muscle activation (slope of %MVC) between bassists who reported pain and those who did not.
- This applied to both playing periods and rest intervals.
Conclusions:
- The study's findings surprisingly challenge the assumption that increased muscle activation or fatigue directly causes pain in bassists.
- Alternative explanations for pain complaints in this population warrant further investigation.
