Hand positions at possible critical points in the stoop-lift movement

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Abstract
Erectores spinae exhibit a period of electrical silence during trunk flexion from the erect position and return extension. This study defined the positions of the fingertips relative to the floor at the end-points of the period of myoelectric silence. These points are termed ‘critical’ and were investigated in 15 male and 15 female young adults (x¯ = 21 years). The two critical points were similar in terms of the fingertip-floor distance (x¯ = 0·30m) and significantly different from the maximally flexed position (x¯ = − 0·04 m). There were no significant differences between the experimental groups in the flexed positions. Anthropometric differences had little effect on the measures. The fingertip-floor distance provided a good estimate of trunk and hip flexion but was a poor indicator of the degree of flexion of the thoracolumbar vertebral column.