Stiffness of resting lumbar myofascia in healthy young subjects quantified using a handheld myotonometer and concurrently with surface electromyography monitoring.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

This study aimed to non-invasively quantify passive stiffness of superficial myofascia at a lower lumbar (L3-L4) anatomical level in young healthy male and female subjects and investigate its possible morphological variation. Resting prone lumbar myofascial measurements were quantified using MyotonPro(®) and statistically analyzed in 20 young healthy individuals over 3-weekly intervals, concurrently with surface electromyography (sEMG). Averaged mean ± SE stiffness (Newton/meter) over three weeks was significantly (p < 0.001) greater in males (247.8 ± 11.3) than females (208.4 ± 11.3), on the right (237.7 ± 12.8) than left sides (218.5 ± 12.3), at 10-min (231.4 ± 9.1) than initial baseline (224.8 ± 9.1) values. A polymorphism of stiffness values in 10 male and 10 female subjects was suggested by box plot analyses of the 3 weekly measurements and greater inter-individual than intra-individual variances. Greater knowledge of lumbar myofascial stiffness can improve understanding of their contributions in health and chronic low back disorders.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Nair, K; Masi, AT; Andonian, BJ; Barry, AJ; Coates, BA; Dougherty, J; Schaefer, E; Henderson, J; Kelly, J

Published Date

  • April 2016

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 20 / 2

Start / End Page

  • 388 - 396

PubMed ID

  • 27210858

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1532-9283

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.jbmt.2015.12.005

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States