ASSESSMENT OF UPPER TRAPEZIUS IN PEOPLE WITH SITTING PROFESSIONS

¹National Sports Academy 'Vassil Levsky', Physiotherapy, Sofia, Bulgaria

Background: The complaints of stiffness in the cervical spine and headache are increased in the last years. The problem is spread primarily in the people with sitting professions. The dysfunction of the upper trapezius is one of the reasons for these complaints.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to bring into proper correlation the results of upper trapezius from the surface electromyography biofeedback device and Test for shortness in health people with sitting professions at their workplaces.

Methods: During the period November 2014 - February 2015 were observed thirty two people with average age 44, 9 (18-62) y. Twenty five of them were women and 7 men. With predominant work on computer were 21 persons (65,6%). Test for shortness of upper trapezius in sitting position was applied. In progression the activity of the muscle was assessed by 1-Chanel surface electromyography device Static Relax- Science of Thumedi GmbH, Germany. The subjects were assessed in sitting position at rest, and after that they performed isotonic and isometric contractions.

Results: The results were processed through IBM SPSS 19 program using variation analysis. The activity of the right upper trapezius in the workers on computer at the rest was higher with 11.1 μV than in the last. The difference was not statistical significant (t-criterion -1.92, guaranteed probability [P (t)] 93%), but it is close to the critical values. In 19 of the subjects did not establish shortening of trapezius and in 13 was presented. The subjects without trapezius shortness had lower isotonic activity on the right – 37.5μV compared to these with restricted elasticity – 66.9μV. The difference (d=29.4μV) was statistically significant (t-criterion 2.69, guaranteed probability [P (t)] – 98.6%). The biserial correlation coefficient (rpb=0.506) demonstrated that the shortened trapezius on the left side provokes the higher isotonic activity on the right one. The group with normal elasticity had average 63,7μV isometric activity of the left trapezius. Those in which the right trapezius was shortened had higher isometric muscle activity left sided - respectively 163,5μV. The difference (d = 99.8μV) was statistically significant with the t-criterion 2.65 and guaranteed probability [P (t)] - 98.5%. The biserial correlation coefficient (rpb = 0,500) showed that the impaired elasticity of upper trapezius on the right side influences studied sign - average maximal isometric trapezius activity on the left one.

Conclusion(s): The results confirmed the correlation between surface electromyography biofeedback device and Test for shortness of upper trapezius in people with sitting professions. Application of the sEMG biofeedback is an effective and safety method for assessment of upper trapezius activity at the work place.

Implications: The social importance of this study is significant. The occupational health is an actual trend in the field of physiotherapy. The precise functional diagnostic contribute to control the muscle dysfunctions and postural disorders in workers.

Funding acknowledgements: Project Promotion of a safe and active lifestyle in people with static professions

Topic: Occupational health & ergonomics

Ethics approval: National Sports Academy “Vassil Levsky”- Sofia, Bulgaria

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