What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to investigate how different load conditions during walking influence muscle activation and forces in those with chronic low back pain.

January 14, 2026BioengineeringOpen Access

Neuromuscular and Kinetic Adaptations to Symmetric and Asymmetric Load Carriage During Walking in Individuals with Chronic Low Back Pain

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Authors

RTRaheleh TajikKharazmi University WDWissem DhahbiQatar Airways (Qatar)RMRaghad MimarKharazmi University

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Implication

Walking with asymmetric loads increases trunk muscle activation and ground reaction forces in individuals with chronic low back pain, suggesting the need for better load strategies.

Key Points

This research aims to investigate how different load conditions during walking influence muscle activation and forces in those with chronic low back pain.
Participants included 15 individuals with chronic low back pain and 15 controls, aged 23–28 years.
Walking tests were conducted under symmetric and asymmetric load conditions at 10% and 20% of body weight.
Bilateral surface electromyography and force plates measured muscle activation and ground reaction forces respectively.
Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni corrections.
Asymmetric loading at 20% body weight resulted in higher peak vertical ground reaction forces than symmetric loading (mean difference = 47.3 N, p < 0.001).
Participants with chronic low back pain showed greater trunk muscle activation throughout the gait cycle (peak: 37% MVIC vs. 30% MVIC in controls; p < 0.001).
The highest muscle activation was seen in lumbar erector spinae and multifidus during asymmetric loading, indicating compensatory strategies.

Cite This Study

Tajik et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6966e6f513bf7a6f02bfefd2 https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering13010082

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Implication

Walking with asymmetric loads increases trunk muscle activation and ground reaction forces in individuals with chronic low back pain, suggesting the need for better load strategies.

Neuromuscular and Kinetic Adaptations to Symmetric and Asymmetric Load Carriage During Walking in Individuals with Chronic Low Back Pain

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Neuromuscular and Kinetic Adaptations to Symmetric and Asymmetric Load Carriage During Walking in Individuals with Chronic Low Back Pain

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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