Gluteal muscle recruitment during level,incline and stair ambulation in healthy subjects and chronic low back pain patients

Abstract

Purpose:

The purpose of this first evaluation was to directly compare myoelectrical patterns of gluteus maximus activity during different walking tasks (level and 10° incline) and a stair climb task in healthy men and men with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Methods:

Neuromuscular activity of the gluteus maximus of twelve male CLBP (age = 53.4 ± 7.7 yr) patients and twenty sex-matched control subjects (age = 32.6 ± 5.1 yr) was compared during level walking (1.25 m/s), graded treadmill ambulation (10%; 1.25 m/s) and stair climbing. EMG-recordings were carried out on one randomly selected body side in each group.

Results:

Compared to level ambulation, incline walking and stair ascent induced a significant (p < 0.01) increase of about 25% respectively 50% of gluteus maximus activity in the healthy cohort. CLBP patients in contrast demonstrated an average increase of about 35% in incline walking and stair climbing along with an extended stance phase activity during stair ascent.

Discussion:

The findings suggest that low back disorders are associated with changes of the level and duration of gluteus maximus activity under different gait conditions. The alterations may point toward a compensatory recruitment pattern to accomplish a certain degree of lumbo-pelvic stabilization. More study is needed on the behaviour of CLBP patients in different provocative tests and functional rehabilitation programs.