Sling-based infant carrying affects lumbar and thoracic spine neuromechanics during standing and walking

Schmid, Stefan; Stauffer, Michèle; Jäger, Judit; List, Renate; Lorenzetti, Silvio (2019). Sling-based infant carrying affects lumbar and thoracic spine neuromechanics during standing and walking Gait Posture, 67, pp. 172-180. Elsevier 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2018.10.013

Preview

Text Sling-based infant carrying affects lumbar and thoracic spine neuromechanics during standing and walking.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons: Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works (CC-BY-NC-ND). Download (3MB) | Preview

Background Regular infant carrying might be a contributing factor for the development and progression of low back and pelvic girdle pain in mothers after childbirth. However, the neuromechanical adaptations of the spine due to different sling-based carrying techniques are not sufficiently well understood in order to provide evidence-based carrying recommendations. Research question What are the immediate effects of different sling-based infant carrying techniques on trunk neuromechanics? Methods Using a Vicon motion capture and a wireless surface electromyography system, three-dimensional pelvis and spinal kinematics as well as activation patterns of eight trunk muscles were derived from fifteen healthy young women during upright standing and level walking without carrying a load and while carrying a 6 kg-dummy with a sling in front and on either side. Data were analyzed using Statistical Parametric Mapping, allowing group comparisons of discrete parameters (standing) as well as continuous data (walking). To distinguish between clinically relevant and clinically not relevant kinematic findings, statistically significant differences were only considered in case of ≥5°. Results Compared to unloaded walking, carrying the dummy in front was mainly associated with increased lumbar lordosis (standing: (Δ8.8°, p = 0.006; walking: (Δ ≥ 8.2°, 1–100% of gait cycle [%GC], p < 0.001). When carrying the dummy on the preferred side, increased thoracic kyphosis (standing: ≥6.4°, p ≤ 0.003; walking: Δ ≥ 5.6°, 1–100%GC, p < 0.001) and axial rotation towards the ipsilateral side (standing: Δ5.3°, p = 0.003; walking: Δ ≥ 5.0°, 46–58%GC, p = 0.002) were observed. All three conditions entailed increased paraspinal muscle activity during walking, although only unilaterally in side carrying (lumbar, preferred condition: Δ ≥ 13.2%maxMVIC, 49–57%GC, p < 0.001; thoracic, non-preferred condition: Δ ≥ 5.3%maxMVIC, 47–58%GC, p < 0.001). Significance Carrying an infant alternating on both sides using a sling could be advantageous for preventing musculoskeletal pain resulting from excessive lumbar hyperextension and paraspinal muscle hyperactivation in women after childbirth. Keywords Trunk ; Kinematics ; Gait ; Electromyography ; Statistical parametric mapping

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	School of Health Professions School of Health Professions > Physiotherapy School of Health Professions > Physiotherapy > Spinal Movement Biomechanics
Name:	Schmid, Stefan0000-0001-5138-9800; Stauffer, Michèle; Jäger, Judit; List, Renate and Lorenzetti, Silvio
Publisher:	Elsevier
Language:	English
Submitter:	Service Account
Date Deposited:	29 Oct 2019 11:41
Last Modified:	18 Dec 2020 13:28
Publisher DOI:	10.1016/j.gaitpost.2018.10.013
ARBOR DOI:	10.24451/arbor.6762
URI:	https://arbor.bfh.ch/id/eprint/6762