Measuring Trunk Muscle Activation in Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Edwin Y Hanada, Cheryl L Hubley-Kozey, Melissa D McKeon, Sarah A Gordon
Primary Institution: Capital District Health Authority and Dalhousie University
Hypothesis
The study aims to assess the feasibility of measuring trunk muscle activation in healthy older adults during trunk stability exercises.
Conclusion
Older adults were able to successfully complete the trunk stability protocol with some minor modifications, and the EMG amplitudes recorded were higher than those reported for young healthy adults.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants performed trunk stability exercises with minimal pelvic motion.
- EMG data showed abdominal muscle activation from 15-34% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction.
- No participants reported pain during the testing sessions.
Takeaway
Older people can do exercises to help their trunk muscles work better, and they did it well without any major problems.
Methodology
Participants performed trunk stability exercises while their muscle activation was recorded using surface electrodes and 3D motion capture.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the exclusion of individuals with a history of low back pain or other health issues.
Limitations
The study's participants were well-educated and healthy, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to less healthy or less educated older adults.
Participant Demographics
Participants were 65 to 75 years old, with a mix of 7 males and 5 females.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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