Functional behaviour of spinal muscles after training with an exercise device developed to recruit and train postural muscles

An exercise device has recently been developed to activate deep spinal muscles [1,2]. The device, called the Functional Re-adaptive Exercise Device (FRED, Fig. 1), is similar in its kinematics to an elliptical trainer, but it offers little resistance to lower limb movement [3]. Using surface and intramuscular electromyography (EMG) as well as B-mode ultrasound imaging, previous studies revealed tonic activation of lumbo-pelvic muscles during FRED exercise as compared to walking [1 –3]. As tonic activation of postural muscles is an aspect of function that is modified in LBP, this suggests a potential role for this device as a rehabilitation tool to reinforce this function.

Source: Gait and Posture - September 2, 2018 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Tobias Weber, Sauro E. Salomoni, Doroth ée Debuse, François Hug, Nick Caplan, Enrico De Martino, Jonathan Scott, Julie Hides, Paul Hodges Tags: Full length article Source Type: research