Mark A. Sutherlin, MS, ATC, CSCS; Joseph M. Hart, PhD, ATC
Athletic Training and Sports Health Care
May/June 2015 – Volume 7 · Issue 3: 108-116
Posted May 13, 2015
DOI: 10.3928/19425864-20150422-06
Increased fatigability of the trunk and hip extensors has been reported in individuals with a history of low back pain. However, muscle function of the hip abductors as a result of exercise is currently unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess muscle function during a side-lying hip abduction exercise between 12 individuals with and 12 individuals without a history of low back pain. Median frequency of the gluteus medius (P < .01), gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, and lumbar paraspinals (P < .01 for all three) muscles declined after exercise, but not the vastus lateralis muscle (P = .11). No group differences or group by time interactions were observed for any muscle (P > .05). Changes in gluteus medius activation explained variance in hip abduction torque in healthy individuals, whereas both the gluteus medius and maximus explained changes in individuals with a history of low back pain. Individuals with a history of low back pain may have altered neuromuscular properties during a side-lying hip abduction task. [Athletic Training & Sports Health Care. 2015;7(3):108–116.]