EMG recordings of abdominal and back muscles in various standing postures: validation of a biomechanical model on sacroiliac joint stability

In a biomechanical model we described that for stability of the flat sacroiliac joints (SIJ) muscle forces are required which press the sacrum between the two hip bones (self-bracing). Shear loading of these joints is caused by gravity and longitudinally oriented muscles. Protection against shearing can come from transversely oriented muscles like the internal oblique (OI) abdominal muscles. For validation we used standing postures with significantly more or less OI activity compared to activity in a standardized erect standing reference posture. OI activity decreased significantly when (a) resting on one leg (the contralateral), as can be observed at bus stops, (b) tilting the pelvic backward and (c) applying a pelvic belt. We explain this decrease of OI activity by, respectively, decrease of gravity load, decrease of load from the psoas major muscles, and a substitute of self-bracing. The outcome of this study is in line with the biomechanical model on SIJ stability. Clinical relevance of this study regards aspecific low back pain and is found in the effect of the use of a pelvic belt, of a trunk position as adopted when wearing a small rucksack and of the benefit of exercising trunk muscles in extension and torsion.