Correlation of pain and lumbar arch with electromyography of ankle muscle in athletes with low back pain

Lumbar muscle imbalances could affect the lower extremity. The aim of present study was to survey the relationship between pain and lumbar arch with ankle muscle activity and comparison these variables in males and females with chronic non-specific low back pain when implementing single leg squat.

47 Participants with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP) were selected in this study (male=22 and female=25). Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the LBP intensity. Lumbar lordosis curve was recorded using a flexible ruler. The Participants perform single leg squat position and dominant foot electromyography would be measured when the person was in the single leg squat position. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationship between variables and Independent t test was used to compare variables between males and females.

The results showed there were positive and significant correlation between pain of tibialis anterior muscle activity and peroneus longus muscle in males and females.

Regarding the results of this study, it would be concluded that low back pain is one of those factor that may increase ankle muscle activity. Treatment of low back pain could decrease the risk of injury caused by changes in postural control mechanisms and proprioception in lumbar and other joints in the kinetic chain, especially the ankle joint.