Quantifying intrinsic properties of resting lumbar muscle in healthy subjects using a handheld myometer

Resting muscle exhibits certain inherent properties whose interpretation is important to the understanding of the function and health of muscle. These physical properties aid in better understanding the behavior of muscle and its effects on the lumbosacral spine. A wealth of research has been performed on actively contracting muscles, however there is little existing literature on the properties of muscle in its relaxed state. In this study, the resting muscle properties of the lower lumbar muscles were quantified in 20 young, healthy adults. Measurements were taken from the left and right sides of the back, and were repeated after a 10 minute waiting period. Surface electromyography (sEMG) measurements were also carried out simultaneous to ensure the patient's muscles were in a resting state. Data suggest that the hypothesis of a population variation of human resting muscle tone (HRMT) properties may occur among normal subjects; however, more quantitative data is required to confirm and characterize this trait.