Question

With regards to transversus abdominus, how does its activation differ during a simple shoulder flexion task, in subjects with and without a history lower back pain? Is this the cause of or the result of lower back pain?

Answer 1

• Transverse abdominis is an important stabilizer of lumbar spine.
• Dysfunction of transverse abdominis lead to lower back pain.
• Several theraputic excercises have been targeted for lower back pain.
• By developing strength to transverse abdominis by training can avoid lower back pain.
• In healthy people , those donot having lower back pain, transverse abdominis is preactivated during upper extremity movements such as shoulder flexion.
• While in people having lower back pain, there is delayed activation of transverse abdominis.
• Even after resolving of lower back pain, normal function of transverse abdominis is not regained.