TY - JOUR
T1 - Trunk muscular strength in pre-pubertal children with and without back pain
AU - Merati, Giampiero
AU - Negrini, Stefano
AU - Carabalona, Roberta
AU - Margonato, Vittoria
AU - Veicsteinas, Arsenio
PY - 2004/4
Y1 - 2004/4
N2 - Objective: While in adulthood there is no proven relationship between back pain and trunk muscle strength, in pre-pubertal subjects this topic has been poorly studied. The aim of the study was to evaluate isometric and isokinetic trunk muscle strength in children with or without previous back pain. Methods: The recent occurrence of back pain (last 6 months) among 144 children (77 males, 67 females, age 11.9 ± 0.3 years) was assessed using a questionnaire. Extensor and flexor trunk muscle strength was measured through isometric and isokinetic (60, 90, 120°/s) tests. Peak torque (PT), PT angle, PT flexor/PT extensor ratio and intra-session coefficient of variation (COV) were determined. Results: Flexor and extensor muscle PT, but not PT angle, were significantly higher in males than in females, irrespective of back pain occurrence. PT flexor/PT extensor ratio at 90° angular velocities increased significantly only in males with back pain, compared with males without back pain. The COV trend was similar for flexor and extensor muscles. Conclusions: Isometric and isokinetic trunk muscle strength probably play a minor role in back pain occurrence in children. The isokinetic testing velocity may be important in determining trunk strength differences between children with and without back pain.
AB - Objective: While in adulthood there is no proven relationship between back pain and trunk muscle strength, in pre-pubertal subjects this topic has been poorly studied. The aim of the study was to evaluate isometric and isokinetic trunk muscle strength in children with or without previous back pain. Methods: The recent occurrence of back pain (last 6 months) among 144 children (77 males, 67 females, age 11.9 ± 0.3 years) was assessed using a questionnaire. Extensor and flexor trunk muscle strength was measured through isometric and isokinetic (60, 90, 120°/s) tests. Peak torque (PT), PT angle, PT flexor/PT extensor ratio and intra-session coefficient of variation (COV) were determined. Results: Flexor and extensor muscle PT, but not PT angle, were significantly higher in males than in females, irrespective of back pain occurrence. PT flexor/PT extensor ratio at 90° angular velocities increased significantly only in males with back pain, compared with males without back pain. The COV trend was similar for flexor and extensor muscles. Conclusions: Isometric and isokinetic trunk muscle strength probably play a minor role in back pain occurrence in children. The isokinetic testing velocity may be important in determining trunk strength differences between children with and without back pain.
KW - Back pain
KW - Isokinetic
KW - Isometric
KW - Muscles
KW - Trunk
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U2 - 10.1080/13638490310001654754
DO - 10.1080/13638490310001654754
M3 - Article
C2 - 15204580
AN - SCOPUS:2342659650
VL - 7
SP - 97
EP - 103
JO - Pediatric Rehabilitation
JF - Pediatric Rehabilitation
SN - 1363-8491
IS - 2
ER -