Lumbopelvic flexibility modulates neuromuscular responses during trunk flexion–extension
Various stimuli such as the flexibility of lumbopelvic structures influence the neuromuscular responses of the trunk musculature, leading to different load sharing strategies and reflex muscle responses from the afferents of lumbopelvic mechanoreceptors. This link between flexibility and neuromuscular response has been poorly studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between lumbopelvic flexibility and neuromuscular responses of the erector spinae, hamstring and abdominal muscles during trunk flexion-extension. Lumbopelvic movement patterns were measured in 29 healthy women, who were separated into two groups according to their flexibility during trunk flexion-exten…
Determining the optimal maximal and submaximal voluntary contraction tests for normalizing the erector spinae muscles
Background This study aimed to identify which maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and sub-MVIC tests produce the highest activation of the erector spinae muscles and the greatest reduction in inter-individual variability, to put them forward as reference normalization maneuvers for future studies. Methods Erector spinae EMG activity was recorded in 38 healthy women during five submaximal and three maximal exercises. Results None of the three MVIC tests generated the maximal activation level in all the participants. The maximal activation level was achieved in 68.4% of cases with the test performed on the roman chair in the horizontal position (96.3 ± 7.3; p < 0.01). Of the fi…
Effects of pregnancy on lumbar motion patterns and muscle responses.
The kinematics of the lumbar region and the activation patterns of the erector spinae muscle have been associated with the genesis of low back pain, which is one of the most common complications associated with pregnancy. Despite the high prevalence of pregnancy-related low back pain, the biomechanical adaptations of the lumbar region during pregnancy remain unknown.This study analyzes lumbar spine motion and the activation pattern of the lumbar erector spinae muscle in healthy pregnant women.A case-control study.The study involved 34 nulliparous women (control group) and 34 pregnant women in the third trimester (week 36 ± 1).We recorded the parameters of angular displacement of the lumbar …
Efficacy of an Internet-Based Intervention to Promote a Healthy Lifestyle on the Reproductive Parameters of Overweight and Obese Women: Study Protocol for a Randomised Controlled Trial
Este artículo se encuentra disponible en la siguiente URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/22/8312 En este artículo también participan: Valentina Lucia La Rosa y Rosa M. Baños. Este artículo pertenece al número especial "Developmental and emotional aspects of pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting: current and future perspectives". Background: Infertility is estimated to affect 15% of couples of reproductive age. Weight management problems (being obese or overweight) are among the problems that produce infertility, both in women seeking spontaneous pregnancy and in those undergoing assisted reproduction techniques. Over the last few decades, the prevalence of obesity has increased alarmingl…
Changes in trunk posture and muscle responses in standing during pregnancy and postpartum
Este artículo se encuentra disponible en la página web de la revista en la siguiente URL: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0194853 The aim of this study was to analyze the position of the lumbopelvic region and the muscle activation of erector spinae and biceps femoris muscles in a group of pregnant women in the third trimester. The hypothesis was that pregnancy-related biomechanical and morphological changes modify the position of the lumbopelvic region and the activation of extensor muscles. The position of the lumbar spine and pelvis in the sagittal plane, and the EMG activity of the erector spinae and biceps femoris muscles, were recorded during standing…