Quantitative intramuscular myoelectric activity of quadratus lumborum during a wide variety of tasks

doi:10.1016/0268-0033(95)00056-9

Clinical Biomechanics

Volume 11, Issue 3, April 1996, Pages 170-172

https://doi.org/10.1016/0268-0033(95)00056-9 Get rights and content

Abstract

Intramuscular fine-wire electrodes monitored the electromyographic activity of quadratus lumborum in four young adults. A wide variety of tasks were performed including flexion tasks, lateral bending, twisting, extension, and lifting tasks. Heavy lifts of barbell weights up to 70 kg activated the quadratus lumborum 74% of their maximum on average while surface recording of erector spinae (L₃) were only 62% of their maximum activation. The quadratus lumborum was more active (54%) than other muscles during isometric side support postures where the body is held horizontally almost parallel to the floor as the subjects supported themselves on one elbow on the floor together with both feet. Furthermore, it increased activation in response to increasing compression in static upright standing postures.

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Citation Excerpt :
The activity of the quadratus lumborum (QL) in addition to the gluteus medius (GMed) is involved in the control of pelvic movement in the coronal plane. Several researchers investigating QL EMG reported that the QL showed activity during coronal trunk movements (McGill et al., 1996; Andersson et al., 1996). However, the QL has three different layers (anterior [QL-a], middle, and posterior layers [QL-p]) (Phillips et al., 2008), and these studies did not measure the QL EMG separately.
This study aimed to clarify the differences in electromyographic activity between the quadratus lumborum anterior (QL-a) and posterior layers (QL-p), and the relationship among trunk muscles and gluteus medius (GMed) activities during forward landing. Thirteen healthy men performed double-leg and single-leg (ipsilateral or contralateral sides as the electromyography measurement of trunk muscles) forward landings from a 30 cm-height-box. The onset of electromyographic activity in pre-landing and the electromyographic amplitude of the unilateral QL-a, QL-p, abdominal muscles, lumbar multifidus (LMF), erector spinae (LES), and bilateral GMed were recorded. Two-way ANOVA was used to compare the onset of electromyographic activity (3 landing leg conditions × 10 muscles) and electromyographic amplitude among (3 landing leg conditions × 2 phases). The onset of QL-p was significantly earlier in contralateral-leg landing than in the double-leg and ipsilateral-leg landings. The onset of LMF and LES was significantly earlier than that of the abdominal muscles in contralateral-leg landing. QL-p activity and GMed activity on the contralateral leg side in the pre-landing were significantly higher in contralateral-leg landing than in the other leg landings. To prepare for pelvic and trunk movements after ground contact, LMF, LES, QL-p on non-support leg side, and GMed on support leg side showed early or high feedforward activation before ground contact during single-leg forward landing.
Early warning role of Bone marrow edema and Quadratus Lumborum asymmetry in predicting “Spondylolysis – A nightmare for fast bowlers”
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Spondylolysis is one of the most dangerous injuries in the life of an athlete. However, it is of great importance when it comes to the career of any fast bowler as they are under continuous threat of sustaining this particular type of injury. There are two radiological parameters that can help us to predict the risk of development of this injury which has previously proved to be a nightmare for many fast bowlers, these factors include bone marrow edema and Quadratus lumborum asymmetry. Combined assessment of these parameters with other physiological factors can assist in the prevention of these injuries. With each passing year, as cricket is becoming much faster and complex than ever before, athletes cannot afford to waste a golden part of their careers in the process of healing from these injuries so it is high time to work on such tools that can help us to predict and prevent these injuries.
Die Spondylolyse ist eine der häufigsten gefährlichen Verletzungen eines Athleten. Sie ist von großer Bedeutung für die Karriere eines jeden „fast bowler“, da sie auf Dauer eine Gefahr dafür darstellt. Es gibt zwei radiologische Parameter, die dabei helfen können, das Risiko der Entwicklung der Spondylolyse zu prognostizieren. Dazu gehört das Knochenmarködem und die Asymmetrie des M. Quadratus lumborum. Die mit anderen physiologischen Faktoren kombinierte Bewertung dieser Parameter kann bei der Prävention dieser Verletzungen helfen. In einer Zeit, in der Cricket schneller und komplexer als je zuvor wird, können Sportler es sich nicht leisten, einen großen Teil ihrer Karriere dem Heilungsprozess zu opfern. Es ist also höchste Zeit, an Mechanismen zu arbeiten, diese Verletzungen vorherzusagen und zu verhindern.
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Citation Excerpt :
Although earlier research used DN for the quadriceps muscles, the improvements in QL and GM function in the present study may be due to a similar mechanism. Because of the important roles of GM and QL in frontal plane hip and trunk stability, these muscles may contribute to optimal kinetics and kinematic control of the knee joint.15,26 In addition, optimizing mediolateral control of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex has been shown to contribute to biomechanical improvements in patients with PFP.9,15,26,29
To compare the effects of exercise therapy alone and exercise therapy plus gluteus medius (GM) and quadratus lumbarum (QL) dry needling on pain and function in female athletes with patellofemoral pain (PFP).
Single-blind randomized controlled trial with follow-up.
Physiotherapy clinic.
Convenience sample of female athletes with PFP (N=40), who were randomly assigned to the exercise therapy (Ex group) or exercise-therapy+dry needling (Ex+DN group) group.
The Ex group received exercise therapy for 4 weeks, and the Ex+DN group received exercise therapy in combination with dry needling directed at GM and QL trigger points for 4 weeks.
In all participants, pain intensity, function (Kujala score, modified star excursion balance test, step-down test), and QL and GM pressure pain threshold (PPT) were recorded at baseline and at 4 and 6 weeks after the start of treatment. Analysis of variance (2 groups×3 times) was used to compare within- and between-group differences.
The group versus time interaction effect was significant for all variables (P<.05). Both groups showed significant improvements in pain, function, and PPT at weeks 4 and 6 compared to baseline (P<.05). Between-groups comparisons showed significantly greater improvements in pain, function, and PPT in the Ex+DN group (P<.05).
Targeting intervention to treat trigger points in the GM and QL muscles combined with exercise therapy had superior beneficial effects compared to exercise alone in managing PFP. Therefore, adding GM and QL muscle dry needling to exercise therapy may be advisable to enhance the effects of PFP rehabilitation.
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^∗: Currently at Thurgauisch-Schaffhausische Hoehenklinik, CH-7270, Davos-Platz, Switzerland.

^∗∗: Currently at Université Laval, Dépt. d'informatique, Faculté des sciences et génie. Quebec, Canada.

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PaperQuantitative intramuscular myoelectric activity of quadratus lumborum during a wide variety of tasks

Abstract

Clin Biomech

J Biomech

Paper
Quantitative intramuscular myoelectric activity of quadratus lumborum during a wide variety of tasks