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We examine the postural profile and muscular forces of the trunk and inferior members of patients with chronic low back pain.In this study, we include 60 subjects forming two groups: a first group (G1) of 30 patients with chronic low back pain and a second group (G2) of 30 healthy subjects. Every subject profited from an isokinetic evaluation of the muscular forces of the trunk (at 60 and 90°.s(-1)) and knees (at 60 and 120°.s(-1)) and of a postural evaluation. The isokinetic evaluation was carried out using Cybex(®) Norm II dynamometer with its Trunk Extension/Flexion (TEF) module set in concentric mode. The parameter under study was the torque peak. The postural evaluation was accomplished using the platform SATEL for the balance analysis associated with four conditions: static on stable plan open eyes (OE) then closed eyes (CE) and static on unstable plan OE then CE. The parameters under study were the averages of the total lengths, total surfaces, and the X and Y means.The averages of the torque peaks of the trunk flexor and extensor muscles at the speeds of 60 and 90°.s(-1) were inferior in group G1 as compared to G2. The differences were statistically insignificant only for the extensor muscles (p0.005). The averages of the torque peaks of the knee flexors and extensors at 60 and 120°.s(-1) were the lowest in group G1. The differences were significant (p0.05). The averages of postural parameters were more important in group G1, indicating a postural deficit in this group.We showed deficits of the posture and muscles of the trunk and knees of patients with chronic lumbar pain. The muscular deficit of the trunk predominates on extensors.

Objective To study the acute effect of static and dynamic stretching on the knee muscle strength and postural capacity in athletes. Patients and methods Fifteen judokas performed 2 stretching protocols (static and dynamic) on the muscles of both lower limbs with an interval of 48 hours in a random order. An evaluation of the dominant knee muscle strength with an isokinetic dynamometer CybexNormII was performed before and after each stretching protocol in a concentric mode at a speed of 60 and 180°/s. Each athlete was evaluated on the Satel ® plateform in static conditions open and closed eyes in the two trials. This evaluation was performed after a standard warm-up protocol (5 minutes on a bicycle ergometer) and a minute after the stretching protocol. The parameters were monitored: mediolateral (Long X) anterior-posterior deviations (Long Y) of the plantar center of pressure and the total area. Results Five judokas, with mean age of 21.3 ± 2.3 years, mean height of 177.8 ± 8.8 cm, and mean weight of 74.6 ± 14.6 kg participated in this study. We objectified an increase in the mean peak torque (PC) after the dynamic stretching protocol compared to the initial assessment at the speed of 60°/s in both the flexor ( P P = 0.005) muscles. Furthermore, we found a decrease in the PC after the static stretching protocol at the same speed with a statistically significant difference in both flexor ( P P Discussion/Conclusion On one hand, this study confirms the value of dynamic muscle stretching on the gain of the isokinetic strength of the knee muscles. On the other hand, a deterioration of the postural following capacity after both static and dynamic stretching was observed.

Objective To evaluate trunk and knee muscle strength in patients with chronic sciatica. Patients and method Twenty-eight patients with right-side chronic sciatica (group 1, G1) and 40 healthy controls (group 2, G2) were evaluated using an isokinetic dynamometer (Cybex Norm II). Quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength were evaluated at concentric velocities of 60 and 120°/s and the trunk muscles were evaluated at concentric velocities of 60 and 90°/s. Results G1 comprised 15 women and 13 men (mean ± SD age: 34.787 ± 6.06; weight: 65.85 ± 5.33 kg; height: 165 ± 6.92 cm). G2 comprised 20 women and 20 men (mean ± SD age: 35.92 ± 6.66; weight: 67.07 ± 6.12 kg; height: 165.82 ± 7.65 cm. There were no significant inter-group differences concerning these parameters. In G1, the peak torque values for the trunk extensors were 123.71 ± 32.45 and 108.85 ± 32.07 Newton metres (Nm) at angular velocities of 60 and 90°/s, respectively. In G2, the values were 192.73 ± 64.24 and 168.65 ± 53.96 Nm, respectively. In G1, the peak torque values for the trunk flexors were 134.32 ± 30.77 and 124.39 ± 32.59 Nm at angular velocities of 60 and 90°/s, respectively. In G2, they were 177.44 ± 44.1 and 157.81 ± 39.01 Nm, respectively. The difference between G1 and G2 was statistically significant. The peak torque for the right quadriceps in G1 was 100.03 ± 24.45 and 78.71 ± 22.92 Nm at angular velocities of 60 and 120°/s, respectively. In G2, these values were 160.5 ± 36.34 and 131.05 ± 33.42 Nm. The peak torque for the hamstrings in G1 was 56.42 ± 13.02 and 50 ± 13.55 Nm at angular velocities of 60 and 120°/s, respectively. In G2, these values were 97.77 ± 33.32 and 84.72 ± 31.41 Nm. Again the difference between G1 and G2 was statistically significant. We also noted a statistically significant difference between G1 and G2 in terms of the peak quadriceps and hamstring torque values on the left side. In G1, the quadriceps and hamstrings were significantly weaker on the sciatica side than on the unaffected side. Conclusion The present study demonstrated trunk and knee muscle weakness in patients with chronic sciatica, when compared with healthy subjects. This weakness was predominant on the sciatica side. Consequently, the management of these patients should include a knee muscle reinforcement programme.