Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine

"Back muscles"

Original Articles

Pain & Musculoskeletal rehabilitation

The Relationship Between Low Back Pain and Sagittal Spinal Alignment and Back Muscle Mass in Korean Fishery Workers: Minjung Kook, Insuh Kim, Jeongyeon Seo, Hyundong Kim, Heesung Nam, Nami Han; Ann Rehabil Med 2023;47(6):459-467. Published online November 22, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5535/arm.23075

Objective
To investigate the relationship between low back pain (LBP) and sagittal spino-pelvic parameters along with the relationship between LBP and back muscle mass in Korean male and female fishery workers.
Methods
This retrospective study included a total of 146 subjects who underwent Fishermen’s health survey conducted between June 2018 and August 2020. LBP was evaluated through visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Sagittal spino-pelvic parameters were measured from whole spine standing X-rays. Back muscle cross-sectional areas were identified through lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging and body composition was analyzed through bioelectrical impedance analysis.
Results
The study included 75 males and 71 females, with an average age of 58.33 years for males and 56.45 years for females. Female subjects exhibited higher VAS and ODI scores, larger pelvic tilt (PT) and trunk fat mass and smaller trunk muscle mass compared to males. In female, ODI positively correlated with sagittal vertical axis (SVA) and PT. No significant correlations were found between ODI scores and body composition in either sex. The high ODI group showed greater SVA, PT, and pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis and higher trunk fat/muscle ratio. Psoas muscle mass, total and skeletal muscle mass and trunk muscle mass of that group were smaller than those of low ODI group.
Conclusion
Spino-pelvic parameters and back muscle mass were associated with ODI and there were differences between Korean male and female fishery workers.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Interrelationships of cervical spine sagittal alignment and whole spinopelvic alignment under implications of musculoskeletal health among independent elderly women in Taiwan: A cross-sectional study
Tzai-Chiu Yu, Wen-Tien Wu, Ru-Ping Lee, Ing-Ho Chen, Jen-Hung Wang, Shu-Hui Wen, Kuang-Ting Yeh, Barry Kweh
PLOS ONE.2024; 19(10): e0312082. CrossRef

3,690 View
107 Download
1 Web of Science
1 Crossref

Pain & Musculoskeletal rehabilitation

Associations Between Trunk Muscle/Fat Composition, Narrowing Lumbar Disc Space, and Low Back Pain in Middle-Aged Farmers: A Cross-Sectional Study: Sora Baek, Hee-won Park, Gowun Kim; Ann Rehabil Med 2022;46(3):122-132. Published online June 30, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5535/arm.21201

Abstract
PDF

Objective
To investigate the association of trunk fat and muscle composition, lumbar disc space narrowing, and low back pain in middle-aged farmers.
Methods
Fat and muscle areas were identified using standard Hounsfield unit ranges for adipose tissue and skeletal muscle with computed tomography images at the mid-L4 vertebral level. Trunk fat mass, muscle mass, and fat/muscle mass ratio were calculated. Low back pain was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The L4/5-disc space and low back pain were also assessed.
Results
Male had a higher total trunk, back, psoas, and abdominal muscle mass, and visceral fat; female had a higher subcutaneous fat mass and fat/muscle ratio. Pearson correlation coefficients with ODI for waist circumference, total fat mass, visceral fat mass, and fat/muscle ratio were all significant in female; only the fat/muscle ratio was significant in male. Pearson correlation coefficients with L4/5-disc space narrowing grades for visceral fat mass, total, back, and psoas muscle mass, and fat/muscle ratio, were all significant in female; total and back muscle mass, and fat/muscle ratio in male.
Conclusion
There were significant relationships between: fat indicators with low back pain; trunk muscle mass with lumbar disc degeneration; and fat/muscle ratio with both lumbar disc degeneration and low back pain. The fat/muscle ratio may be a useful index for low back pain.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Association between a body shape index and low back pain: a cross-sectional study highlighting gender-specific differences in NHANES data
Shiwei Xie, Heng Xiao, Gengwu Li, Jigen Zheng, Fan Zhang, Yuping Lan, Mingwei Luo
BMC Public Health.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Biomechanical changes in females with poly cystic ovarian syndrome: a case–control study
Eman E. Kamal, Hamada A. Hamada, Reda Sayed Ashour, Amel M. Yousef, Rovan M. Elbesh
Scientific Reports.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Exploring the Relationship Between Low Back Pain, Physical Activity, Posture, and Body Composition in Older Women
Barbara Rosolek, Dan Iulian Alexe, Krystyna Gawlik, Elena Adelina Panaet, Ilie Mihai, Bogdan Alexandru Antohe, Anna Zwierzchowska
Healthcare.2025; 13(9): 1054. CrossRef
Association of Body Mass Index and Central Obesity with Spinopelvic Alignment Parameters in a Chinese Population: A Prospective Study
Hao Qi, Zenghui Zhao, Feiyu Zu, Chenxi Wang, Chenchen Wang, Zuzhuo Zhang, Xiaonan Tian, Dan Su, Zhaoxuan Wang, Rui Xue, Zhiyong Hou, Wei Chen, Di Zhang
World Neurosurgery.2024; 189: e153. CrossRef
The Effect of Intraabdominal Visceral and Subcutaneous Adipose Volume and Muscle Volume on Lumbar Vertebrae Degeneration
Rabia Mihriban Kilinc, Fatih İlker Can
Cureus.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Fat Hounsfield Unit Reference Interval Derived through an Indirect Method
Marian Pop, Marius Mărușteri
Diagnostics.2023; 13(11): 1913. CrossRef
Relationships Between Skeletal Muscle Mass, Lumbar Lordosis, and Chronic Low Back Pain in the Elderly
Myung Woo Park, Sang Jun Park, Sun Gun Chung
Neurospine.2023; 20(3): 959. CrossRef
Back Extensor Strength as a Potential Marker of Frailty Using Propensity Score Matching and Machine Learning
Taewook Kim, Gowun Kim, Hee-won Park, Eun Kyoung Kang, Sora Baek
Journal of Clinical Medicine.2023; 12(19): 6156. CrossRef
Comprehensive Physical Work Capacity Evaluations for Korean Farmers Assessed in Healthy Volunteers
Seungsu Jeong, Gowun Kim, Hee-won Park, Sora Baek
Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine.2023; 47(6): 468. CrossRef
The Relationship Between Low Back Pain and Sagittal Spinal Alignment and Back Muscle Mass in Korean Fishery Workers
Minjung Kook, Insuh Kim, Jeongyeon Seo, Hyundong Kim, Heesung Nam, Nami Han
Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine.2023; 47(6): 459. CrossRef

7,291 View
116 Download
10 Web of Science
10 Crossref

Reliability and Validity of a New Method for Isometric Back Extensor Strength Evaluation Using A Hand-Held Dynamometer: Hee-won Park, Sora Baek, Hong Young Kim, Jung-Gyoo Park, Eun Kyoung Kang; Ann Rehabil Med 2017;41(5):793-800. Published online October 31, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2017.41.5.793

Abstract
PDF

Objective

To investigate the reliability and validity of a new method for isometric back extensor strength measurement using a portable dynamometer.

Methods

A chair equipped with a small portable dynamometer was designed (Power Track II Commander Muscle Tester). A total of 15 men (mean age, 34.8±7.5 years) and 15 women (mean age, 33.1±5.5 years) with no current back problems or previous history of back surgery were recruited. Subjects were asked to push the back of the chair while seated, and their isometric back extensor strength was measured by the portable dynamometer. Test-retest reliability was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). For the validity assessment, isometric back extensor strength of all subjects was measured by a widely used physical performance evaluation instrument, BTE PrimusRS system. The limit of agreement (LoA) from the Bland-Altman plot was evaluated between two methods.

Results

The test-retest reliability was excellent (ICC=0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.65–0.91). The Bland-Altman plots demonstrated acceptable agreement between the two methods: the lower 95% LoA was −63.1 N and the upper 95% LoA was 61.1 N.

Conclusion

This study shows that isometric back extensor strength measurement using a portable dynamometer has good reliability and validity.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Strength and endurance of the lumbar extensor muscles and their predictors: A cross-sectional study in healthy subjects
Daniela Vlazna, Blanka Adamova, Peter Krkoska, Viktoria Kokosova, Katerina Matulova, Tamara Barusova, Michaela Sladeckova
Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology.2025; 80: 102973. CrossRef
Weak trunk extensors in adult spinal deformity patients are related to sagittal malalignment and kinematic limitations
Maria Saadé, Rami Rachkidi, Ali Rteil, Elma Ayoub, Elena Jaber, Celine Chaaya, Nabil Nassim, Elio Mekhael, Rami Rehayem, Julien Abi Nahed, Bilal Ramadan, Mohamad Karam, Ismat Ghanem, Abir Massaad, Ayman Assi
Gait & Posture.2025; 117: 292. CrossRef
Evaluating pelvic rotator strength: Investigating asymmetry and its correlation with pelvic rotation angle during active straight leg raise
Joo-Young Jeon, Oh-Yun Kwon, Chung-Hwi Yi, Sung-Min Ha, Jun-Hee Kim, Seung-Yoon Han
Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation.2025; 38(1): 93. CrossRef
Precision and Reliability of a Dynamometer for Trunk Extension Strength and Steadiness Assessment
Franciele Parolini, Márcio Goethel, Johan Robalino, Klaus Becker, Manoela Sousa, Barbara C. Pulcineli, Ulysses F. Ervilha, João Paulo Vilas-Boas, Rubim Santos
Applied Sciences.2025; 15(8): 4081. CrossRef
Reliability of the EN-TreeM dynamometer for measuring back strength in university athletes with chronic low back pain
Sumbul Ansari, Md Farhan Alam, Saurabh Sharma
Sport Sciences for Health.2024; 20(2): 517. CrossRef
The effects of back extensor strength in different body positions on health-related quality of life in patients with degenerative spinal deformity
Sen Yang, Can Chen, Yong Tang, Kai Li, Xueke Yu, Jiulin Tan, Chengmin Zhang, Zhigang Rong, Jianzhong Xu, Fei Luo
Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation.2024; 37(2): 503. CrossRef
Effects of Wrist Stability Training Combined with Grip Strength Exercise on Pain and Function in Patients with Nonspecific Chronic Wrist Pain
Seung-Ji Hong, Mi-Young Lee, Byoung-Hee Lee
Medicina.2024; 60(7): 1144. CrossRef
Dynamometry for the assessment of trunk muscle strength in postpartum women with pregnancy-related posterior pelvic girdle pain: A reliability study
Fahimeh-Sadat Jafarian, Mahmonir Jafari-Harandi, Gillian Yeowell, Ebrahim Sadeghi-Demneh
International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine.2024; 54: 100738. CrossRef
Reliability and criterion validity of handheld dynamometry for measuring trunk muscle strength in people with and without chronic non-specific low back pain
Shouq Althobaiti, Deborah Falla
Musculoskeletal Science and Practice.2023; 66: 102799. CrossRef
Back Extensor Strength as a Potential Marker of Frailty Using Propensity Score Matching and Machine Learning
Taewook Kim, Gowun Kim, Hee-won Park, Eun Kyoung Kang, Sora Baek
Journal of Clinical Medicine.2023; 12(19): 6156. CrossRef
Trunk muscle dysfunction in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 2 and its contribution to chronic low back pain
Daniela Vlazna, Peter Krkoska, Michaela Sladeckova, Olesja Parmova, Tamara Barusova, Karolina Hrabcova, Stanislav Vohanka, Katerina Matulova, Blanka Adamova
Frontiers in Neurology.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Effectiveness of a cardiac rehabilitation program on biomechanical, imaging, and physiological biomarkers in elderly patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF): FUNNEL + study protocol
Antonio Ignacio Cuesta-Vargas, Iván José Fuentes-Abolafio, Celia García-Conejo, Estíbaliz Díaz-Balboa, Manuel Trinidad-Fernández, Daniel Gutiérrez-Sánchez, Adrián Escriche-Escuder, Lidia Cobos-Palacios, Almudena López-Sampalo, Jose Maria Pérez-Ruíz, Crist
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Comprehensive Physical Work Capacity Evaluations for Korean Farmers Assessed in Healthy Volunteers
Seungsu Jeong, Gowun Kim, Hee-won Park, Sora Baek
Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine.2023; 47(6): 468. CrossRef
Test-retest reliability of a load cell setup, Ito, and timed loaded standing tests for measuring muscle strength and endurance in older adults with and without hyperkyphosis
Fatemeh Keshavarzi, Fatemeh Azadinia, Saeed Talebian, Omid Rasouli
Musculoskeletal Science and Practice.2022; 58: 102475. CrossRef
Prevalence and Potential Risk Factors for Occupational Low Back Pain Among Male Military Pilots: A Study Based on Questionnaire and Physical Function Assessment
Yizhuo Yang, Shuai Liu, Mengyu Ling, Chaoqun Ye
Frontiers in Public Health.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Individuals With Impaired Lumbopelvic Control Demonstrate Lumbar Multifidus Muscle Activation Deficit Using Ultrasound Imaging in Conjunction With Electrical Stimulation: A Cross-sectional Study
Panakorn Sungnak, Sranya Songjaroen, Warin Krityakiarana, Hsing-Kuo Wang, Jim Richards, Peemongkon Wattananon
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.2022; 103(10): 1951. CrossRef
Natural aging course of lumbar extensor muscle mass and strength in community-dwelling older women: a 1-year prospective observational study
Dong Hyun Kim, Jinhee Park, Chang Won Lee, Sang Yoon Lee
Aging Clinical and Experimental Research.2022; 34(9): 2099. CrossRef
Practicable performance-based outcome measures of trunk muscle strength and their measurement properties: A systematic review and narrative synthesis
Shouq Althobaiti, Alison Rushton, Ahmad Aldahas, Deborah Falla, Nicola R. Heneghan, Fatih Özden
PLOS ONE.2022; 17(6): e0270101. CrossRef
Prognostic Value of Leg Muscle Strength in Acute Heart Failure Syndrome
JONG-CHAN YOUN, SUK-WON CHOI, HYE SUN LEE, SEONGWOO HAN, EUI-CHEOL SHIN, SANG HONG BAEK, SEOK-MIn KANG
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.2021; 53(1): 19. CrossRef
Assessment of Lumbar Extensor Muscles in the Context of Trunk Function, a Pilot Study in Healthy Individuals
Daniela Vlažná, Peter Krkoška, Matyáš Kuhn, Filip Dosbaba, Ladislav Batalik, Eva Vlčková, Stanislav Voháňka, Blanka Adamová
Applied Sciences.2021; 11(20): 9518. CrossRef
El fenómeno de flexión-relajación lumbar como test diagnóstico en la evaluación de un déficit lumbar. Sensibilidad y especificidad
J. García Díaz, J. Vargas Montes, M.E. Romero Díez
Rehabilitación.2020; 54(3): 162. CrossRef
A mobile delivered self-exercise program for female farmers
Sora Baek, Gowun Kim, Hee-won Park
Medicine.2020; 99(52): e23624. CrossRef
Prediction of Occupational Physical Activities using Inertial Measurement Units and Deep Learning Models
Yishu Yan, Hao Fan, Yibin Li, Elias Hoeglinger, Alexander Wiesinger, Alan Barr, Carisa Harris Adamson
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting.2020; 64(1): 879. CrossRef
Comparison of STarT Back Screening Tool and Simmonds Physical Performance Based Test Battery in Prediction of Disability Risks Among Patients with Chronic Low-Back Pain
Chidozie Emmanuel Mbada (PhD PT), Aanuoluwapo Deborah Afolabi (MSc PT), Olubusola Esther Johnson (PhD PT), Adesola Christianah Odole (PhD PT), Taofik Oluwasegun Afolabi (MSc PT), Odunayo Theresa Akinola (PhD PT), Moses Oluwatosin Makindes (BMR PT)
Rehabilitacja Medyczna.2019; 22(4): 4. CrossRef
Wearable Monitoring Devices for Biomechanical Risk Assessment at Work: Current Status and Future Challenges—A Systematic Review
Alberto Ranavolo, Francesco Draicchio, Tiwana Varrecchia, Alessio Silvetti, Sergio Iavicoli
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2018; 15(9): 2001. CrossRef