Premium
Dynamic mobilisation exercises increase cross sectional area of musculus multifidus
Author(s) -
STUBBS N. C.,
KAISER L. J.,
HAUPTMAN J.,
CLAYTON H. M.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
equine veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.82
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 2042-3306
pISSN - 0425-1644
DOI - 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00322.x
Subject(s) - multifidus muscle , medicine , lumbar , low back pain , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , anatomy , alternative medicine , pathology
Summary Reason for performing study: In human subjects with back pain, the deep spinal stabiliser m. multifidus is inhibited ipsilaterally leading to atrophy, asymmetry and intervertebral instability. Specific physiotherapeutic exercises are required to reactivate m. multifidus . This study assesses the effect of dynamic mobilisation exercises on size and symmetry of m. multifidus in the equine caudal thoracic and lumbar spine. Hypotheses: Regular performance of dynamic mobilisation exercises over a period of 3 months increases cross sectional area (CSA) and left‐right symmetry of m. multifidus muscles in the caudal thoracic and lumbar spine. Methods: Eight horses performed dynamic mobilisation exercises (3 cervical flexions, one cervical extension and 3 lateral bending exercises to the left and right sides) with 5 repetitions/exercise/day on 5 days/week for 3 months during which time they were not ridden. Left and right m. multifidus CSA was measured ultrasonographically at 6 levels from T10 to L5 at the start (initial evaluation) and end (final evaluation) of the 3 month study. Changes in CSA of the right and left m. multifidus muscles and symmetry of m. multifidus CSA on the right and left sides between the 2 evaluations were sought using analysis of variance (P<0.05). Results: Between the initial evaluation and final evaluation m. multifidus CSA increased significantly at all 6 spinal levels on both right and left sides. Asymmetries in m. multifidus CSA between the right and left sides decreased between the initial and final evaluations. Conclusions: Hypertrophy of multifidus occurred over a 3 month period during which dynamic mobilisation exercises were the only exercise performed. Potential relevance: Dynamic mobilisation exercises maybe a useful rehabilitative technique for horses in which m. multifidus has atrophied in response to back pain.