EFFECT OF STATIC STRETCHING ON MUSCLE ACTIVATION DURING SIT TO STAND AMONG LOW BACK PAIN POPULATION

Differential muscle activation pattern following hamstring stretching among low back pain (LBP) is being reported. Reduce in hamstring extensibility can alter the lumbar lordosis during sitting thus put pressure on lumbar intervertebral discs and increase load on the lumbar spine. This can lead to changes in the pelvic motion and altered the functional movement especially during sit to stand (STS). Thus, the faulty motion and muscles will be used and further lead to the changes of muscle activation especially to the back and lower limb muscles. Previous study showed that static stretching can help to increase activation of muscle among LBP population. However, limited evidence exists regarding the effects of static hamstring stretching on muscle activation of gluteus maximus during STS among LBP population. The main objective is to determine the effect of static hamstring stretching on hamstring flexibility on muscle activation of gluteus maximus (GM) during STS among LBP population. Forty four subjects, 44 LBP populations were recruited based on the selected criteria as set by the study protocol. The results of the study showed, there were an improvement on hamstring flexibility and muscle activation when static stretching was applied to LBP population (p<0.05). This study suggested that static hamstring stretching exercise can help to improve the hamstring ability to lengthen and increase the activation of GM during STS especially for LBP population.