A Preliminary Study on the Equivalence between Standing Back-Extension and Superman Training in Lumbar Multifidus Exercise

Abstract

Objective. To explore the equivalence of an easier and more convenient lumbar multifidus (LM) muscle exercise pattern among standing back-extension, static standing, and superman training. Methods. A total of 26 healthy young volunteers were enrolled, including 14 males and 12 females, aged from 22 to 44 years with an average of $31.77\pm 7.06$ years. Ultrasonography was used to measure the thickness of the left LM of the transverse process of the L5 vertebra during static standing, static prone decubitus, standing back-extension, and prone superman training. In this study, measurement data were expressed as $\text{Mean}\pm \text{SD}$ and compared using the $t$ -test. Results. The left LM thickness of the L5 vertebra was $2.92\pm 0.46$  cm during static standing and $2.78\pm 0.39$  cm during static prone decubitus, showing no statistical difference between the two groups ( $P>0.05$ ). The left LM thickness of the L5 vertebra was $3.16\pm 0.51$  cm during standing back-extension and $3.33\pm 0.41$  cm during the prone superman training, indicating no statistical difference between the two groups ( $P>0.05$ ). Conclusions. There is no significant statistical difference in the LM thickness between static standing and static prone decubitus and between standing back-extension and prone superman training, indicating the equivalence of the two methods in LM exercise, providing a simpler and easier way for clinical exercise of lumbodorsal muscles.