Comparison between a trunk training machine and conventional exercises for trunk extensors and effect on stance weight distribution of young adults: A pilot study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine if there was a difference between activities of multifidus and erector spinae muscles, when trained using the same patterns through a trunk training machine (TTM) and conventional exercises for trunk extensors (CETE), and to investigate the postural changes in weight bearing between groups after interventions of TTM and CETE, respectively. Methods: 20 healthy males with a mean age of 24.5±3.7 years participated in the study. First day, muscle EMG activities were recorded while all of the participants performed TTM and CETE exercises. Next day, they were separated into two groups. TTM (n=10) and CETE groups (n= 10) were trained for 5 bouts. The body weight distribution was measured before and after the training periods. Results: There was a significant difference between total TTM-Work output and CETE-Work output (p<0.01). Although no significant differences were found between two legs' weight distribution in both groups before and after the intervention program, standard deviation and frequencies of the values in TTM group for both legs were significantly different, and higher than CETE group (p<=0.00). Discussion: In conclusion, the TTM training appears to demand less muscle activity, thus less energy consuming and produced better stance outcome in the same time when compared with CETE. It is suggested that more participants are needed for a further research to reveal the effect of TTM intervention on the body weight distribution clearly. It is also recommended to plan new research in this field on other populations such as geriatrics or neurological disorders.