• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.51-60
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was to compare the effect of center of pressure(COP) displacement and muscle activation onset during expected and unexpected sudden limb loading in subjects with low back pain and healthy control subjects. Most studies of COP displacement and muscle activation onset on postural task focused on sudden trunk loading or gross limb movements. Investigation of the COP displacement and muscle activation onset during expected and unexpected sudden upper limb loading deserves similar attention. Methods: For this study, 14 subjects with low back pain and 12 healthy control subjects are participated. Force plate and surface EMG measures were used to determine COP displacement and muscle activation onset under expected and unexpected sudden upper limb loading. Results: COP displacement and muscle activation onset under unexpected sudden upper limb loading were similar in subjects with low back pain and healthy control subjects. However, COP displacement and muscle activation onset under expected sudden upper limb loading were shortened in healthy control subject but not among the subjects with low back pain. Conclusion: The results provide evidence for impaired feed-forward control in subjects with low back pain.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.65-72
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the responses of the trunk muscle during expected and unexpected sudden loadings of the hands on the sagittal plane. Twenty, young healthy adults(male 10, female 10) were participated to two different loading conditions : expected and unexpected sudden loadings. Different weights were dropped in hand : 5lb, 6lb, 7lb for male, and 3lb, 4lb, 5lb for female. EMG activity of rectus abdominalis and erector spine muscle were collected. Rectus abdominalis and lumbar erector spine muscle activity significantly increased in unexpected sudden loadings than expected sudden loadings(p<.05). This results indicate that co-contraction of abdominal and back muscle contribute for dynamic spinal stability during expected or unexpected activities of daily living. Preparatory adjustments can be made which reduce the postural perturbation to sudden load and prevent low back injuries.