Faculty Advisor

Matt S. Stock, Ph.D.

Publication Date

5-2022

Abstract

Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Deadlifts and deadlift-based assessments are becoming increasingly common in LBP rehabilitation but have not been well studied.

PURPOSE: Our primary objective was to compare muscle excitation and peak force during isometric deadlift pulls in participants suffering from acute, nonspecific LBP versus healthy controls. Our secondary objective was to compare these outcomes for a conventional barbell versus a hexagonal barbell. Our tertiary objective was to compare self-perceived confidence between groups.

METHODS: Fifteen college-aged adults with acute, nonspecific LBP (9 males, 6 females) and 20 controls (10 males, 10 females) performed 3 maximal, isometric deadlift pulls while standing on a force plate using a conventional barbell and a hexagonal bar. Surface electromyographic (EMG) signals were recorded from the upper trapezius, external oblique, erector spinae, vastus lateralis, and biceps femoris throughout testing.

RESULTS: There were no significant differences and trivial effect sizes for the peak force comparisons between groups and bars. For EMG amplitude, the results from the Bonferroni corrected pairwise comparisons indicated that vastus lateralis and upper trapezius excitation was higher for the hexagonal bar compared to the conventional barbell. Based on post-testing qualitative surveys, both groups felt equally safe and confident with the two barbells.

CONCLUSION: Participants with acute, nonspecific LBP showed no impairments in peak force or muscle excitation. The use of a hexagonal barbell may be useful in clinical practice for patients needing to maximally activate their vastus lateralis and upper trapezius during a functional task.

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