Abstract
This study validates the use of ambulatory EMG monitoring as a measure of exercise compliance. The model rehabilitative exercise used was the Prone Back Extension. Thirty-two undergraduate volunteers were videorecorded as they performed the exercise alone in a closed room. The correlation between a direct observation count of the number of repetitions and an independent EMG-based count was .95. EMG amplitude was examined by repetition and gender with regression and ANOVA. There were significant gender differences in the amplitude of EMG across repetitions. There were no significant differences by gender in the declining slope of amplitude across repetitions. This slope may represent a typical “fatigue” curve. Thus, not only the occurrence but also the intensity of exercise can be quantified.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Albright, G. L., & Avellanet, F. (1986, March). An assessment of disposable electrodes in frontal and forearm applications. Presented at the meeting of the Biofeedback Society of America, San Francisco.
Anastasi, A. (1988).Psychological testing (Sixth Edition. New York: MacMillan.
Anastasiades, P., & Johnston, D. W. (1990). A simple activity measure for use with ambulatory subjects.Psychophysiology, 27 87–93.
Asfour, S. S., Khalil, T. M., Waly, S. M., Goldberg, M. L., Rosomoff, R. S., & Rosomoff, H. L. (1990). Biofeedback in back muscle strengthening.Spine, 15 510–513.
Balogun, J. A., Martin, D. A., & Clendenin, M. A. (1989). Calorimetric validation of the Caltrac accelerometer during level walking.Physical Therapy, 69 501–509.
Bloch, M. W., Smith, D. A., & Nelson, D. L. (1989). Heart rate, activity, duration, and affect in added-purpose versus single-purpose jumping activities.American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 43 25–30.
McGill, S. M. (1991). Electromyographic activity of the abdominal and low back musculature during the generation of isometric and dynamic axial trunk torque: Implications for lumbar mechanics.Journal of Orthopedic Research, 9 91–103.
McKenzie, R. A. (1981).The lumbar spine mechanical diagnosis and therapy. Waikanae, New Zealand: Spinal Publications.
Perkins, K. A., & Epstein, L. H. (1988). Methodology in exercise adherence research. In R. K. Dishman (Ed.),Exercise adherence: Its impact on public health. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Books.
Robinson, M. E., Cassisi, J. E., O'Connor, P. D., & MacMillan, M. (1992). Lumbar iEMG during isotonic exercise: Chronic low back pain patients versus controls.Journal of Spinal Disorders, 5 8–15.
Roy, S. H., DeLuca, C. J., & Casavant, D. A. (1989). Lumbar muscle fatigue and chronic lower back pain.Spine, 14 992–1001.
Roy, S. H., DeLuca, C. J., Snyder-Mackler, L., Emley, M. S., Crenshaw, R. L., & Lyons, J. P. (1990). Fatigue, recovery, and low back pain in varsity rowers.Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 22 463–469.
Smidt, G. L., Blanpied, P. R., & White, R. W. (1989). Exploration of mechanical and electromyographical responses of trunk muscles to high-intensity resistive exercises.Spine, 14 815–830.
Stokes, I. A. F., Rush, S., Moffroid, M., Johnson, G. B., & Haugh, L. D. (1987). Trunk extensor EMG-torque relationship.Spine, 12 770–776.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cassisi, J.E., Sexton-Radek, K., Castrogiovanni, M. et al. The use of ambulatory EMG monitoring to measure compliance with lumbar strengthening exercise. Biofeedback and Self-Regulation 18, 45–52 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00999513
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00999513