Muscle activity and range of motion during active trunk rotation in a sitting posture

Twisted trunk postures during tractor driving are associated with low-back pain. The purposes of this study were to quantify the muscle activity as a function of twisting angle, to quantify the range of motion (ROM) during active trunk rotation and to determine whether there were any differences between tractor drivers and office workers and between twisting direction for these variables. The subjects performed exertions in a seated position, twisting from the neutral position to the end of the ROM. The results showed that external oblique and erector spinae had significantly different activation patterns depending on twisting direction. For the contralateral external oblique and the ipsilateral erector spinae, the muscle effort required to twist the trunk was low up to about 20° twisting angle, then the muscle effort needed to twist the trunk increased progressively. No significant differences due to occupation or twisting direction were found. The result implies that work in twisted trunk postures might be a risk factor for low-back pain.