We found conflicting data regarding the validity of methods used to examine back muscle fatigue .
The Biering-Sorensen test  , performed in conjunction with surface electromyography spectral analysis , turned out to be the most widely used and comparatively , the most optimal modality currently available to assess objective back muscle fatigue in daily clinical practise , even though critical limitations are discussed .
Implication s for Rehabilitation Despite its limitations , the Biering-Sorensen test is currently the most used , convenient and easily available fatiguing test for lumbar muscles .
Pooled mean frequency and half-width of the spectrum are currently the most valid electromyographic parameters to assess fatigue in chronic non-specific low back pain .
PURPOSE This systematic literature review aim ed at examining the validity and applicability in everyday clinical rehabilitation practise of methods for the assessment of back muscle fatiguability in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain ( CNSLBP ) .
Specificity of a back muscle roman chair exercise in healthy and back pain subjects.
PURPOSE Roman chair exercises are popular for improving back muscle endurance but do not specifically target back muscles . This study aim ed to determine whether an adaptation of the Roman chair exercise would induce more fatigue in back muscles than in hip extensors . METHODS For this study , 16 healthy subjects and 18 patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain performed trunk flexion-extension cycles until exhaustion in a Roman chair with hips flexed at 40 ° . Surface EMG signals  were recorded bilaterally on four back muscles and two hip extensors ( gluteus maximus and biceps femoris ) . Motion analysis of the trunk segments ( pelvis , lumbar , and thoracic spines ) was also carried out . RESULTS In both groups , EMG revealed clear evidence of muscle fatigue for the gluteus maximus , less clear evidence of fatigue for the lower back muscles , and motor unit recruitment ( without fatigue ) for the upper back muscles and biceps femoris . A change of muscle activation pattern was emphasized throughout the exercise bout , with some lower back muscles showing an increase followed by a decrease or leveling off of activation and with upper back muscles showing an increased activation at the end . Kinematic analyses revealed a progressive decrease ( 11 ° ) in the lumbar range of motion ( ROM ) and a progressive increase in hip ( 2 ° ) and thoracic ( 7 ° ) ROM during the exercise bout . CONCLUSIONS Roman chairs allow more freedom to change the kinematics of the spine during the exercise ( less lumbar and more thoracic motion ) to delay lower back muscle fatigue by sharing the load between the lower and upper back muscles . Even with adaptations to reduce hip extensors fatigue , this may make this exercise not as specific as wanted for fatiguing lower back muscles
We found conflicting data regarding the validity of methods used to examine back muscle fatigue .
The Biering-Sorensen test  , performed in conjunction with surface electromyography spectral analysis , turned out to be the most widely used and comparatively , the most optimal modality currently available to assess objective back muscle fatigue in daily clinical practise , even though critical limitations are discussed .
Implication s for Rehabilitation Despite its limitations , the Biering-Sorensen test is currently the most used , convenient and easily available fatiguing test for lumbar muscles .
Pooled mean frequency and half-width of the spectrum are currently the most valid electromyographic parameters to assess fatigue in chronic non-specific low back pain .
PURPOSE This systematic literature review aim ed at examining the validity and applicability in everyday clinical rehabilitation practise of methods for the assessment of back muscle fatiguability in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain ( CNSLBP ) .