Associations between thoracolumbar fascia deformation, erector spinae activity, and deadlift performance: a matched pairs study

ObjectivesRecent research has pointed to a crucial role of intra-and extramuscular fascial tissue in force transmission.The paraspinal fascia has been shown to contribute to the maintenance of spinal stability and paraspinal muscle activity.This study followed on from a previous investigation of thoracolumbar fascia deformability (TLFD) and its relationship to deadlift performance.Methods 10 trained healthy participants, (Mean age SD: 34.7 11.8) were compared with untrained controls (35.8 9.3).The TLFD was examined using high-resolution ultrasound.The percentage of one-repetition maximum (%1RM) using a three-axis gyroscope and the average maximal voluntary contraction (%aMVC) of the erector spinae muscle using surface electromyography were determined during deadlifts.A multiple linear regression model (LM) was used to predict %1RM and %aMVC by TLFD.Paired Student's T-tests were used to compare %1RM, %aMVC, deviation from the barbell and TLFD between groups. ResultsLM revealed no significant effect for TLFD in predicting %1RM (B = 0.344, p = .322),but did in predicting %aMVC (B = -1.47,p = .023).Trained had lower %1RM than untrained (p = .008)and lower %aMVC (p = .028),but no difference in TLFD (p = .415)and deviation of the barbell (p = .519). ConclusionTLFD could be essential for healthy functional movement and contribute to lifting performance.