Comparison of Electromyographic Activity in Normal Lumbar Sacrospinalis Musculature During Static Pelvic Traction in Two Different Positions

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is any significant difference in electromyographic activity in normal lumbar sacrospinalis musculature during static pelvic traction between the supine and prone positions. Electromyographic activity was monitored on 17 normal participants. Each participant received static pelvic traction in prone and in supine for 15 minutes. The analysis of variance for a repeated measures design found significantly less lumbar sacrospinalis muscle activity during traction in the prone position than during traction in the supine position (p<0.05). An analysis of covariance determined that the difference between muscle activity during traction in the prone and supine positions was not significantly affected by differences in sex, age, height, weights treatment order, time of treatment, electrical noise levels prior to treatment, and electrical noise levels after treatment. Implications for treatment are discussed.