The active straight leg raise test and lumbar spine stability.

Objective: To determine the utility of the active straight leg raise (ASLR) test as a screen of lumbar spine stability and abdominal bracing (AB) ability.

Design: A biomechanical study of the ASLR test as a clinical evaluation of lumbar spine stability and AB.

Setting: Clinical research laboratory.

Ballistic abdominal exercises: muscle activation patterns during three activities along the stability/mobility continuum.

The purpose of this study was to document the muscle activity and spine motion during several tasks requiring rapid abdominal contraction. Eight healthy men from a university population were instrumented to obtain surface electromyography of selected trunk and hip muscles, together with video analysis to calculate joint moments and electromagnetic lumbar spine position sensor to track spine posture. Exercises included a punch, throw, and a ballistic torso-stiffening maneuver.

Exercises for the torso performed in a standing posture: spine and hip motion and motor patterns and spine load.

The purpose of this study was to document the muscle activity, spine motion, spine load, and stiffness during several movement-based or "functional" exercises and to assess the effect of technique change. Eight subjects, all healthy men from a university population, were instrumented to obtain surface electromyography of selected trunk and hip muscles, together with video analysis and electromagnetic lumbar spine position sensor to track spine posture. Exercises included a walkout in the sagittal plane that compared an upright form against a wall with those performed on the floor, overhead cable pushes, lateral cable walkouts, the good morning exercise, and the bowler's squat.

Exercises for spine stabilization: motion/motor patterns, stability progressions, and clinical technique.

Objective: To quantify several forms of the curl-up, side-bridge, and birddog exercises (muscle activity and 3-dimensional [3D] spine position) including some corrective techniques to assist clinical decision-making.

Design: A basic science study of a convenience sample with a retest of expert intervention.

Setting: Spine Biomechanics Laboratory/Research Clinic.

Quantifying muscle patterns and spine load during various forms of the push-up.

Purpose: This study was conducted to quantify the normalized amplitudes of the abdominal wall and back extensor musculature during a variety of push-up styles. We also sought to quantify their impact on spinal loading by calculating spinal compression and torque generation in the L4-5 area.

Methods: Ten university-age participants, nine males and one female, in good to excellent condition, volunteered to participate in this study.