REFLEX ACTIVATION OF GLUTEAL MUSCLES IN WALKING - AN APPROACH TO RESTORATION OF MUSCLE FUNCTION FOR PATIENTS WITH LOW-BACK-PAIN

Gluteal activation and pelvic stability often are decreased in chronic low-back pain sufferers, but the importance of motor control and prog ramming in treatment has not been fully evaluated. This study investig ated whether gluteal muscles could be activated more effectively by st imulating the proprioceptive mechanism during walking. Labile support, through wearing ''balance shoes,'' offered facilitation of cerebellov estibular circuits. Electromyographic recordings of gluteus maximus an d medius in 15 healthy subjects were made during barefoot and balance shoes walking before and after 1 week of facilitation. Significant inc reases (P < 0.0002) in gluteal activity and significant decreases (P < 0.01) in time to 75% maximum contraction, demonstrated the value of s ensorimotor elicitation of subconscious and automatic responses in mus cles often weakened in back pain sufferers.