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At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

Trunk kinematics of one-handed lifting, and the effects of asymmetry and load weight.

This study investigated trunk kinematic differences between lifts performed using either one hand (unsupported) or two hands. These effects were studied while beginning the lifts from different asymmetric starting positions and while lifting different load weights. Each subject lifted a box from a lower to an upper platform under one- and two-handed lifting conditions. Subjects wore a lumbar spine electrogoniometer, from which relative motion components were calculated in the trunk's three cardinal planes. Results of this study showed that one-handed lifting resulted in significantly higher ranges of motion in the lateral and transverse planes and greater flexion in the sagittal plane. Back motion characteristics previously found to be associated with low back disorders were all significantly higher for one-handed lifts. The two-handed lift technique, on the other hand, produced overall faster trunk motions in the sagittal plane and equal or larger acceleration and deceleration magnitudes in all planes of motion. Increases in load asymmetry affected trunk kinematics, in that magnitude values for range of motion, velocity and acceleration became much greater with increasingly asymmetric load positions. Increasing the load weight appeared to have less of an effect on trunk kinematics, with increases in position mostly occurring during sagittal and lateral bending. These results suggest that unsupported one-handed lifting loads the spine more than two-handed lifts, due to the added coupling. Applying these results to a previously developed model, one-handed lifting was also found to increase one's risk of suffering a low back disorder.

Adult↗

PubMed2026

Impact on analgesia, diaphragmatic function, and recovery between erector spinae plane block versus superior trunk block in arthroscopic shoulder surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Effective analgesia and preservation of diaphragmatic function are key considerations in analgesia for shoulder surgery. The superior trunk block provides analgesia with reduced phrenic nerve involvement, while the erector spinae plane block offers minimal impact on diaphragm motion. This randomized controlled trial compared the analgesic efficacy, impact on diaphragmatic motion, and postoperative recovery between the two blocks. METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery were randomized to receive either erector spinae plane block or superior trunk block. Primary outcomes were postoperative VAS and changes in diaphragmatic excursion. Secondary outcomes included Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) scores, morphine-equivalent consumption, and the handgrip strength motor blockade. RESULTS: The superior trunk block resulted in significantly lower dynamic VAS at 1-h postoperatively (0.1 [0.0, 0.2] vs. 5.7 [4.0, 7.6]; p < 0.001) and reduced 24-h morphine consumption (7.8 [2.5, 15.0] mg vs. 12.7 [7.5, 17.3] mg; p = 0.038) compared to the erector spinae plane block. However, diaphragmatic excursion was better preserved in the erector spinae plane block group (8.37% ± 20.7% vs. -20.09% ± 22.2%; p < 0.001), with a lower incidence of partial hemidiaphragm paresis (3.3% vs. 46.7%; p < 0.001). At 24 h postoperatively, QoR-15 scores were higher in the superior trunk block group (p = 0.047), and no patient in either group developed handgrip motor blockade. CONCLUSIONS: Superior trunk block offers superior early postoperative analgesia and better overall recovery, while erector spinae plane block minimizes diaphragmatic impairment. However, the erector spinae plane block may represent an option only in carefully selected patients at high respiratory risk, acknowledging its significantly poorer early analgesic profile.

Humans↗

PubMed2001

The phylogenetic trunk: maximal inclusion of taxa with missing data in an analysis of the lepospondyli (Vertebrata, Tetrapoda).

The importance of fossils to phylogenetic reconstruction is well established. However, analyses of fossil data sets are confounded by problems related to the less complete nature of the specimens. Taxa that are incompletely known are problematic because of the uncertainty of their placement within a tree, leading to a proliferation of most-parsimonious solutions and "wild card" behavior. Problematic taxa are commonly deleted based on a priori criteria of completeness. Paradoxically, a taxon's problematic behavior is tree dependent, and levels of completeness are not directly associated with problematic behavior. Exclusion of taxa on the basis of completeness eliminates real character conflict and, by not allowing incomplete taxa to determine tree topology, diminishes the phylogenetic hypothesis. Here, the phylogenetic trunk approach is proposed to allow optimization of taxonomic inclusion and tree stability. The use of this method in an analysis of the Paleozoic Lepospondyli finds a single most-parsimonious tree, or trunk, after the removal of one taxon identified as being problematic. Moreover, the 38 trees found at one additional step from this primary trunk were reduced to 2 by removal of one additional taxon. These trunks are compared with the trees that were found by excluding taxa with various degrees of completeness, and the effects of incomplete taxa are explored with regard to use of the trunk. Correlated characters associated with limblessness are discussed regarding the assumption of character independence; however, inclusion of intermediate taxa is found to be the single best method for breaking down long branches.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Trunk muscular strength in pre-pubertal children with and without back pain.

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 degrees/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 degrees 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.

Abdominal Muscles↗

PubMed2004

Technique factors related to ball release speed and trunk injuries in high performance cricket fast bowlers.

In this study we analysed technique, ball speed and trunk injury data collected at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) from 42 high performance male fast bowlers over a four year period. We found several notable technique inter-relationships, technique and ball speed relationships, and associations between technique and trunk injuries. A more front-on shoulder alignment at back foot contact was significantly related to increased shoulder counter-rotation (p < 0.001). Bowlers who released the ball at greater speeds had an extended front knee, or extended their front knee, during the front foot contact phase (p < 0.05). They also recorded higher braking and vertical impact forces during the front foot contact phase and developed those forces more rapidly (p < or =0.05). A maximum hip-shoulder separation angle occurring later in the delivery stride (p = 0.05) and a larger shoulder rotation to ball release (p = 0.05) were also characteristics of faster bowlers. Bowlers suffering lower back injuries exhibited typical characteristics of the 'mixed' technique. Specifically, the hip to shoulder separation angle at back foot contact was greater in bowlers who reported soft tissue injuries than in non trunk-injured bowlers (p = 0.03), and shoulder counter-rotation was significantly higher in bowlers who reported lumbar spine stress fractures than non trunk-injured bowlers (p = 0.01). The stress fracture group was also characterised by a larger hip angle at front foot contact and ball release, whereas a more flexed front knee at ball release characterised the non trunk-injured group.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Trunk sway measures of postural stability during clinical balance tests: effects of age.

BACKGROUND: The major disadvantage of current clinical tests that screen for balance disorders is a reliance on an examiner's subjective assessment of equilibrium control. To overcome this disadvantage we investigated, using quantified measures of trunk sway, age-related differences of normal subjects for commonly used clinical balance tests. METHODS: Three age groups were tested: young (15-25 years; n = 48), middle-aged (45-55 years; n = 50) and elderly (65-75 years; n = 49). Each subject performed a series of fourteen tasks similar to those included in the Tinetti and Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction in Balance protocols. The test battery comprised stance and gait tasks performed under normal, altered visual (eyes closed), and altered proprioceptive (foam support surface) conditions. Quantification of trunk sway was performed using a system that measured trunk angular velocity and position in the roll (lateral) and pitch (fore-aft) planes at the level of the lower back. Ranges of sway amplitude and velocity were examined for age-differences with ANOVA techniques. RESULTS: A comparison between age groups showed several differences. Elderly subjects were distinguished from both middle-aged and young subjects by the range of trunk angular sway and angular velocity because both were greater in roll and pitch planes for stance and stance-related tasks (tandem walking). The most significant age group differences (F = 30, p <.0001) were found for standing on one leg on a normal floor or on a foam support surface with eyes open. Next in significance was walking eight tandem steps on a normal floor (F = 13, p <.0001). For gait tasks, such as walking five steps while rotating or pitching the head or with eyes closed, pitch and roll velocity ranges were influenced by age with middle-aged subjects showing the smallest ranges followed by elderly subjects and then young subjects (F = 12, p <.0001). Walking over a set of low barriers also yielded significant differences between age groups for duration and angular sway. In contrast, task duration was the only variable significantly influenced when walking up and down a set of stairs. An interesting finding for all tasks was the different spread of values for each population. Population distributions were skewed for all ages and broadened with age. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate measurement of trunk angular sway during stance and gait tasks provides a simple way of reliably measuring changes in balance stability with age and could prove useful when screening for balance disorders of those prone to fall.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Determinants of trunk abnormalities in adolescence.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between gender, anthropometric factors, adolescent growth, maturation and incidence of trunk abnormalities was studied in 2819 children who were symmetric at baseline examination. METHOD: At age 11 years and at age 13 years, data on height, weight, onset of adolescent growth spurt, pubertal phase and menarche were collected and examination for trunk abnormalities was performed. Data analysis included calculation of 2-year cumulative incidence and relative risks (RR) of trunk abnormalities. RESULTS: Two-year cumulative incidence was 11%. The RR for boys was 0.78 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63-0.96) compared to girls. Height was the strongest predictor for the development of trunk abnormalities in both sexes. The RR increased after adjustment for weight, onset of growth spurt, pubertal phase, and menarche. The RR was higher for girls with onset of adolescent growth spurt compared to girls who had not yet started their adolescent growth spurt (RR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.08-1.95). For girls who had reached menarche, the RR was 0.48 (95% CI: 0.24-0.96) compared to those who had not reached menarche. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that taller 11 year old girls with onset of adolescent growth spurt have increased risk of future trunk abnormalities, but that having reached menarche has a protective effect.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Radial velocity profiles of water flow in trunks of Norway spruce and oak and the response of spruce to severing.

Trunk-tissue heat balance, volumetric and staining methods were used to study xylem water flow rates and pathways in mature Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) trees. The radial profile of flow velocity was confirmed to be symmetrical in spruce, i.e., maximum flow velocity was in the center of the conducting xylem and tailed with low amplitude (about 30 cm h(-1)) in the direction of the cambium and heartwood. Variability around the trunk was high. In contrast, in oak, the radial profile of flow velocity was highly asymmetrical, reaching a peak of about 45 m h(-1) in the youngest growth ring and tailing centripetally for about 10 rings, but variability around the trunk was less, under non-limiting soil water conditions, than in spruce. In spruce, the flow rate increased abruptly within seconds when the tree was severed while immersed in water, and then decreased gradually, showing significant root resistance. We conclude that water flow through an absorbing cut surface differs from the flow higher in a tree trunk because of the presence of hydraulic capacitances in the conductive pathways. The staining technique always yielded higher estimates of flow velocity than the non-destructive tree-trunk heat balance method.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2007

Variability with xylem depth in sap flow in trunks and branches of mature olive trees.

Knowledge of sap flow variability in tree trunks is important for up-scaling transpiration from the measuring point to the whole-tree and stand levels. Natural variability in sap flow, both radial and circumferential, was studied in the trunks and branches of mature olive trees (Olea europea L., cv Coratina) by the heat field deformation method using multi-point sensors. Sapwood depth ranged from 22 to 55 mm with greater variability in trunks than in branches. Two asymmetric types of sap flow radial patterns were observed: Type 1, rising to a maximum near the mid-point of the sapwood; and Type 2, falling continuously from a maximum just below cambium to zero at the inner boundary of the sapwood. The Type 1 pattern was recorded more often in branches and smaller trees. Both types of sap flow radial patterns were observed in trunks of the sample trees. Sap flow radial patterns were rather stable during the day, but varied with soil water changes. A decrease in sap flow in the outermost xylem was related to water depletion in the topsoil. We hypothesized that the variations in sap flow radial pattern in a tree trunk reflects a vertical distribution of water uptake that varies with water availability in different soil layers.

Circadian Rhythm↗

PubMed1997

Head and trunk orientation modulate visual neglect.

Five patients with left visual neglect after right hemisphere lesions were examined with a line bisection and a reading task under five different conditions: head and trunk straight ahead, head or trunk oriented 20 degrees to the left and head or trunk oriented 20 degrees to the right. Fixation was always straight ahead. Five patients with right hemisphere lesions but without neglect and five normal subjects served as controls. In all neglect patients, turning the head or trunk to the left reduced line bisection and reading errors significantly as compared with the other three conditions and with the control groups. The modulation of neglect behaviour by trunk as well as head position supports the hypothesis of a disturbed egocentric coordinate system leading to neglect.

Attention↗

PubMed1999

A pilot study of exercise training to reduce trunk fat in adults with HIV-associated fat redistribution.

OBJECTIVE: Body fat redistribution ('lipodystrophy'), with gain in abdominal and trunk fat, and decline in facial and limb fat, is a newly recognized problem in patients with HIV infection that has been linked to use of HIV-1 protease inhibitors. Increased abdominal fat may predispose these patients to hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease. At this time no effective treatment is available. We examined whether exercise training could reduce trunk fat in men with fat redistribution. DESIGN: Open-label pilot study. METHODS: Ten men with increasing abdominal girth participated in a 16 week pilot study of progressive resistance training with an aerobic component. They trained in a community health club three times per week. Total body lean and fat mass, and trunk fat mass, were assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). RESULTS: After 16 weeks of exercise, strength increased for three of the four exercises tested (leg press + 13% [p < 0.02], leg extension + 19% [p < 0.03], seated row + 7% [p < 0.13], chest press + 18% [p < 0.0051). There was a significant decline in total body fat by 1.5 kg (= 2.1 percentage points, p < 0.01); most of the decline in body fat occurred in trunk fat, which decreased by 1.1 kg (p < 0.03). Weight, lean mass (+ 1.1 + 2.6 kg, p = 0.23), and bone mineral density measured by DXA did not change. No adverse effects were seen from the training. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise training may reduce trunk fat mass in HIV-positive men with fat redistribution. Controls trials of this approach are warranted.

Abdomen↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of lumbar orthotics on trunk muscle strength.

Weakening of the trunk muscles is thought to be one disadvantage of prolonged lumbar orthotic use. This study examines weakness of the trunk flexor and extensor muscles in patients who are wearing lumbar orthotics for extended periods. Strength of the trunk flexor and trunk extensor muscles was tested in 24 individuals, using the Kinetic computer. Both concentric and eccentric forces were recorded. Four groups of patients were studied. Group 1 (n = 6) consisted of patients with low back pain who had used a lumbar orthotic for a prolonged period of time. Group 2 (n = 6) consisted of hospital employees with no history of low back pain, who wore lumbar orthotics prophylactically, for back protection. Group 1C (n = 6) consisted of healthy controls, with no history of either back pain or lumbar orthotic use, who were individually age- and gender-matched to each patient in Group 1. Group 2C (n = 6) consisted of healthy controls matched in the same fashion to each patient in Group 2. After consultation with a statistician, statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon's test. Nonparametric statistics were chosen because of the lack of evidence of a normal distribution of the parameters being studied. This analysis revealed significant weakness in concentric flexion (P = 0.0464), concentric extension (P = 0.0277), and eccentric extension (P = 0.0464) in Group 1 compared with matched controls in Group 1C. The only significant weakness compared with controls in Group 2 was in eccentric flexion (P = 0.0277). Trends were toward weakness in the orthotic users for the other motions studied, with a P value of less than 0.1 for eccentric extension. Prolonged use of lumbar orthotics may be associated with trunk muscle weakness in the population studied. Prescribers should continue to limit duration of use when possible and to consider strengthening exercises when prolonged use is anticipated.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Reliability of isokinetic trunk muscle strength measurement.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the intrarater and interrater reliability of reciprocal concentric trunk flexion and extension peak torque values at different angular velocities using the Cybex NORM isokinetic dynamometer. DESIGN: Trunk flexor and extensor muscles of 15 healthy subjects were assessed at 60 degrees/sec and 90 degrees/sec angular velocities. Each subject was tested by two physicians three times, with at least 48 hr between test sessions. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to determine the intrarater and interrater reliability of the reciprocal concentric trunk flexion and extension peak torques at 60 degrees/sec and 90 degrees/sec angular velocities. RESULTS: For intrarater reliability intraclass correlation coefficients for trunk flexion, peak torque values ranged from 0.89 to 0.95; for the extensors, values ranged from 0.80 to 0.92. The intraclass correlation coefficient values for interrater reliability were also found to be highly reliable, and peak torque values demonstrated intraclass correlation coefficients values that ranged from 0.95 to 0.98. CONCLUSIONS: Reciprocal concentric trunk flexion and extension peak torque measurements at 60 degrees/sec and 90 degrees/sec angular velocities had a high intrarater and interrater reliability with the Cybex NORM isokinetic dynamometer in healthy subjects.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Trunk strengths in patients seeking hospitalization for chronic low-back disorders.

Trunk strengths of 16 male and 17 female patients with chronic low-back disorders were measured. The patients sought hospitalization for four weeks in a pain clinic. Maximum voluntary trunk strengths in the standing position were measured during attempted flexion, extension, and lateral bending. The trunk strengths of these patients were then compared with those of health subjects and with those of patients with low-back disorders who sought treatment as outpatients of a general orthopaedic office practice. In making the comparisons, intra-individual trunk-strength ratios were used to overcome problems due to the effects of patients' general weakness and any psychologic factors. When compared with healthy subjects, the patients seeking hospitalization had significantly smaller strengths during attempted extension relative to their strengths during attempted flexion or lateral bending. Their trunk-strength ratios did not differ significantly from those of the outpatient group.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

The role of prerotation of the trunk in axial twisting efforts.

The myoelectric activity of selected trunk muscles was recorded during the development of controlled isometric axial torques. Muscle activity was measured bilaterally over the erector spinae, the rectus abdominus, the oblique external and the oblique internal abdominal muscles at the L3 level. Subjects first applied graded isometric torque efforts over a 10 second ramp up to maximum voluntary contraction with the trunk in neutral rotation. They then repeated the effort with the trunk twisted to the left and right. The largest electromyographic activities were found in the agonistic oblique muscles, but considerable antagonistic activity was present also. While the activity of the internal oblique and rectus were bilaterally similar in symmetric standing a difference occurred between the two sides when the trunk was twisted to the right or left. Axial prerotation of the trunk by 30 degrees in the direction of torque development marginally decreased the maximal developed torque, whereas prerotation in the opposite direction increased the developed torque.

Abdominal Muscles↗

PubMed1989

Simulift: a simulation model of human trunk motion.

In this paper, the authors present a deterministic simulation model, which they call Simulift, of trunk-muscle activity and intra-abdominal pressure during a sagittally symmetric trunk exertion. Simulift is a descriptive model that quantifies the time-varying loading of the spine based on observed internal forces. Recent findings about the time sequence of events during trunk motion and established equilibrium formulas provide the theoretical bases for the simulation. A profile of electromyographic activity in ten trunk muscles and intra-abdominal pressure is updated as simulated time passes, or as the trunk motion is simulated. Input to the model includes a list of motion-event times and a set of profile-component-behavior data. Simulift is an "impulse" model that computes instantaneous and time-integrated statistics on individual muscle activity, intra-abdominal pressure, compression, lateral shear, and anterior shear as the profile components of the simulated subject change. Computer results for the simulation model are presented.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

PubMed1992

The effect of high-intensity trunk exercise on bone mineral density of postmenopausal women.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a 1-year trunk resistive exercise program on bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and hip in postmenopausal women. Forty-nine subjects were divided into exercise and control groups. Dual photon absorptiometry was used to measure bone mineral density and the Muscle Examination and Exercise Dosimeter 3000 system was used to assess trunk muscle strength. Resistive exercise target levels for the exercise group were based on the results of the trunk muscle strength tests. The exercise group performed 3 sets of 10 repetitions for each of the sit-up, prone trunk extension, and double leg flexion exercises. The subjects were seen once per month and performed the exercises a minimum of three times per week. The bone mineral density and strength tests were done at baseline, at 6 months and at 12 months. The results of the study showed that 1) the dual photon absorptiometry method and the Muscle Examination and Exercise Dosimeter 3000 system were highly reliable in measuring bone mineral density and trunk muscle strength, respectively; and 2) no significant differences were found between the exercise and control groups at lumbar vertebrae L2, L3, L4, L2-L4, and the femoral neck, Ward's triangle, and trochanteric region of the proximal femur at baseline, 6-month, and 12-month evaluation sessions.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed1995

The effects of lateral trunk bending on muscle recruitments when resisting nonsagittally symmetric bending moments.

STUDY DESIGN: Surface electromyographic activities were measured in 15 subjects as they maintained a static laterally bent trunk posture and resisted sagittally symmetric and asymmetric moments applied to their torsos. The moment magnitudes were 20 and 40 Nm and had transverse plane directional components in 30 degrees increments surrounding the subjects' torsos. OBJECTIVES: To quantify the myoelectric responses from eight trunk muscles as asymmetric loads were applied to the laterally bent torso. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Asymmetric material handling frequently results in lateral bending of the torso. Each of these factors have been linked via epidemiologic investigations to the incidence of low back disorders. Little information is available that describes the response of the trunk muscles when the trunk is bent to the side. METHODS: Subjects stood in a reference frame and adjusted their trunk posture to marks on a video display that indicated when a 20 degrees lateral bend to the right had been achieved. Moments were applied to the torso by connecting weights via cables and pulleys to a chest harness. Electromyographic activities were recorded bilaterally from the erector spinae, latissimus dorsi rectus abdominis, and external oblique muscles. RESULTS: The electromyographic data indicated that the muscles showed the greatest activity when they were in opposition to the applied sagittal and frontal plane moments. The left external oblique showed the greatest response and was sensitive to the widest range of moment direction conditions. All of the muscles, except for the left latissimus dorsi, at times contributed antagonistic moments in the sagittal plane or the frontal plane, or in both planes. These data were compared with previously obtained data from an upright neutral posture. CONCLUSIONS: Statistical analyses indicated that the responses of both external obliques and the left erector spinae to the moment direction conditions were significantly different between the laterally bent and neutral postures.

Abdominal Muscles↗