@article{MuellerEngelKopinskietal.2017, author = {M{\"u}ller, Juliane and Engel, Tilman and Kopinski, Stephan and Mayer, Frank and M{\"u}ller, Steffen}, title = {Neuromuscular trunk activation patterns in back pain patients during one-handed lifting}, series = {World journal of orthopedics}, volume = {8}, journal = {World journal of orthopedics}, number = {2}, publisher = {Baishideng Publishing Group}, address = {Pleasanton}, issn = {2218-5836}, doi = {10.5312/wjo.v8.i2.142}, pages = {142 -- 148}, year = {2017}, abstract = {AIM To analyze neuromuscular activity patterns of the trunk in healthy controls (H) and back pain patients (BPP) during one-handed lifting of light to heavy loads. METHODS RESULTS Seven subjects (3m/4f; 32 +/- 7 years; 171 +/- 7 cm; 65 +/- 11 kg) were assigned to BPP (pain grade >= 2) and 36 (13m/23f; 28 +/- 8 years; 174 +/- 10 cm; 71 +/- 12 kg) to H (pain grade <= 1). H and BPP did not differ significantly in anthropometrics (P > 0.05). All subjects were able to lift the light and middle loads, but 57\% of BPP and 22\% of H were not able to lift the heavy load (all women) chi(2) analysis revealed statistically significant differences in task failure between H vs BPP (P = 0.03). EMG-RMS ranged from 33\% +/- 10\%/30\% +/- 9\% (DL, 1 kg) to 356\% +/- 148\%/283\% +/- 80\% (VR, 20 kg) in H/BPP with no statistical difference between groups regardless of load (P > 0.05). However, the EMG-RMS of the VR was greatest in all lifting tasks for both groups and increased with heavier loads. CONCLUSION Heavier loading leads to an increase (2-to 3-fold) in trunk muscle activity with comparable patterns. Heavy loading (20 kg) leads to task failure, especially in women with back pain.}, language = {en} } @article{MuellerMuellerStolletal.2016, author = {M{\"u}ller, Steffen and M{\"u}ller, Juliane and Stoll, Josefine and Prieske, Olaf and Cassel, Michael and Mayer, Frank}, title = {Incidence of back pain in adolescent athletes}, series = {BMC sports science, medicine \& rehabilitation}, volume = {8}, journal = {BMC sports science, medicine \& rehabilitation}, publisher = {BioMed Central}, address = {London}, issn = {2052-1847}, doi = {10.1186/s13102-016-0064-7}, pages = {5}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background Recently, the incidence rate of back pain (BP) in adolescents has been reported at 21\%. However, the development of BP in adolescent athletes is unclear. Hence, the purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of BP in young elite athletes in relation to gender and type of sport practiced. Methods Subjective BP was assessed in 321 elite adolescent athletes (m/f 57\%/43\%; 13.2 ± 1.4 years; 163.4 ± 11.4 cm; 52.6 ± 12.6 kg; 5.0 ± 2.6 training yrs; 7.6 ± 5.3 training h/week). Initially, all athletes were free of pain. The main outcome criterion was the incidence of back pain [\%] analyzed in terms of pain development from the first measurement day (M1) to the second measurement day (M2) after 2.0 ± 1.0 year. Participants were classified into athletes who developed back pain (BPD) and athletes who did not develop back pain (nBPD). BP (acute or within the last 7 days) was assessed with a 5-step face scale (face 1-2 = no pain; face 3-5 = pain). BPD included all athletes who reported faces 1 and 2 at M1 and faces 3 to 5 at M2. nBPD were all athletes who reported face 1 or 2 at both M1 and M2. Data was analyzed descriptively. Additionally, a Chi2 test was used to analyze gender- and sport-specific differences (p = 0.05). Results Thirty-two athletes were categorized as BPD (10\%). The gender difference was 5\% (m/f: 12\%/7\%) but did not show statistical significance (p = 0.15). The incidence of BP ranged between 6 and 15\% for the different sport categories. Game sports (15\%) showed the highest, and explosive strength sports (6\%) the lowest incidence. Anthropometrics or training characteristics did not significantly influence BPD (p = 0.14 gender to p = 0.90 sports; r2 = 0.0825). Conclusions BP incidence was lower in adolescent athletes compared to young non-athletes and even to the general adult population. Consequently, it can be concluded that high-performance sports do not lead to an additional increase in back pain incidence during early adolescence. Nevertheless, back pain prevention programs should be implemented into daily training routines for sport categories identified as showing high incidence rates.}, language = {en} } @article{MuellerStollMuelleretal.2012, author = {M{\"u}ller, Steffen and Stoll, Josefine and M{\"u}ller, Juliane and Mayer, Frank}, title = {Validity of isokinetic trunk measurements with respect to healthy adults, athletes and low back pain patients}, series = {Isokinetics and exercise science : official journal of the European Isokinetic Society}, volume = {20}, journal = {Isokinetics and exercise science : official journal of the European Isokinetic Society}, number = {4}, publisher = {IOS Press}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0959-3020}, doi = {10.3233/IES-2012-00482}, pages = {255 -- 266}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: Isokinetic measurements are widely used to assess strength capacity in a clinical or research context. Nevertheless, the validity of isokinetic measures for identifying strength deficits and the evaluation of therapeutic process regarding different pathologies is yet to be established. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to evaluate the validity of isokinetic measures in a specific case: that of muscular capacity in low back pain (LBP). Methods: A literature search (PubMed; ISI Web of Knowledge; The Cochrane Library) covering the last 10 years was performed. Relevant papers regarding isokinetic trunk strength measures in healthy and patients with low back pain (PLBP) were searched. Peak torque values [Nm] and peak torque normalized to body weight [Nm/kg BW] were extracted for healthy and PLBP. Ranked mean values across studies were calculated for the concentric peak torque at 60 degrees/s as well as the flexion/extension (F/E) ratio. Results: 34 publications (31 flexion/extension; 3 rotation) were suitable for reporting detailed isokinetic strength measures in healthy or LBP (untrained adults, adolescents, athletes). Adolescents and athletes were different compared to normal adults in terms of absolute trunk strength values and the F/E ratio. Furthermore, isokinetic measures evaluating therapeutic process and isokinetic rehabilitation training were infrequent in literature (8 studies). Conclusion: Isokinetic measurements are valid for measuring trunk flexion/extension strength and F/E ratio in athletes, adolescents and (untrained) adults with/without LBP. The validity of trunk rotation is questionable due to a very small number of publications whereas no reliable source regarding lateral flexion could be traced. Therefore, isokinetic dynamometry may be utilized for identifying trunk strength deficits in healthy adults and PLBP.}, language = {en} } @misc{MuellerMuellerStolletal.2017, author = {M{\"u}ller, Steffen and M{\"u}ller, Juliane and Stoll, Josefine and Prieske, Olaf and Cassel, Michael and Mayer, Frank}, title = {Incidence of back pain in adolescent athletes}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-101874}, pages = {5}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background Recently, the incidence rate of back pain (BP) in adolescents has been reported at 21\%. However, the development of BP in adolescent athletes is unclear. Hence, the purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of BP in young elite athletes in relation to gender and type of sport practiced. Methods Subjective BP was assessed in 321 elite adolescent athletes (m/f 57\%/43\%; 13.2 ± 1.4 years; 163.4 ± 11.4 cm; 52.6 ± 12.6 kg; 5.0 ± 2.6 training yrs; 7.6 ± 5.3 training h/week). Initially, all athletes were free of pain. The main outcome criterion was the incidence of back pain [\%] analyzed in terms of pain development from the first measurement day (M1) to the second measurement day (M2) after 2.0 ± 1.0 year. Participants were classified into athletes who developed back pain (BPD) and athletes who did not develop back pain (nBPD). BP (acute or within the last 7 days) was assessed with a 5-step face scale (face 1-2 = no pain; face 3-5 = pain). BPD included all athletes who reported faces 1 and 2 at M1 and faces 3 to 5 at M2. nBPD were all athletes who reported face 1 or 2 at both M1 and M2. Data was analyzed descriptively. Additionally, a Chi2 test was used to analyze gender- and sport-specific differences (p = 0.05). Results Thirty-two athletes were categorized as BPD (10\%). The gender difference was 5\% (m/f: 12\%/7\%) but did not show statistical significance (p = 0.15). The incidence of BP ranged between 6 and 15\% for the different sport categories. Game sports (15\%) showed the highest, and explosive strength sports (6\%) the lowest incidence. Anthropometrics or training characteristics did not significantly influence BPD (p = 0.14 gender to p = 0.90 sports; r2 = 0.0825). Conclusions BP incidence was lower in adolescent athletes compared to young non-athletes and even to the general adult population. Consequently, it can be concluded that high-performance sports do not lead to an additional increase in back pain incidence during early adolescence. Nevertheless, back pain prevention programs should be implemented into daily training routines for sport categories identified as showing high incidence rates.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{HainMuellerMuelleretal.2013, author = {Hain, Gerrit and M{\"u}ller, Juliane and M{\"u}ller, Steffen and Reschke, Antje and Mayer, Frank}, title = {Reliability of an in-vivo 3-segmental kinematic trunk model in a one-handed lifting task}, series = {Medicine and science in sports and exercise : official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine}, volume = {45}, booktitle = {Medicine and science in sports and exercise : official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine}, number = {5}, publisher = {Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins}, address = {Philadelphia}, issn = {0195-9131}, pages = {174 -- 174}, year = {2013}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{ReschkeMuellerMuelleretal.2013, author = {Reschke, Antje and M{\"u}ller, Juliane and M{\"u}ller, Steffen and Engel, Tilman and Mayer, Frank}, title = {Three-dimensional spine kinematics during perturbed treadmill walking - a pilot study}, series = {Medicine and science in sports and exercise : official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine}, volume = {45}, booktitle = {Medicine and science in sports and exercise : official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine}, number = {5}, publisher = {Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins}, address = {Philadelphia}, issn = {0195-9131}, pages = {172 -- 172}, year = {2013}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{EngelMuellerMuelleretal.2013, author = {Engel, Tilman and M{\"u}ller, Juliane and M{\"u}ller, Steffen and Reschke, Antje and Kopinski, Stephan and Mayer, Frank}, title = {Validity and reliability of a new customised split-belt treadmill provoking unexpected walking perturbations}, series = {Medicine and science in sports and exercise : official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine}, volume = {45}, booktitle = {Medicine and science in sports and exercise : official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine}, number = {5}, publisher = {Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins}, address = {Philadelphia}, issn = {0195-9131}, pages = {462 -- 462}, year = {2013}, language = {en} } @article{MuellerMuellerStolletal.2017, author = {M{\"u}ller, Juliane and M{\"u}ller, Steffen and Stoll, Josefine and Fr{\"o}hlich, K. and Otto, Christoph and Mayer, Frank}, title = {Back pain prevalence in adolescent athletes}, series = {Scandinavian journal of medicine \& science in sports}, volume = {27}, journal = {Scandinavian journal of medicine \& science in sports}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0905-7188}, doi = {10.1111/sms.12664}, pages = {448 -- 454}, year = {2017}, abstract = {The research aimed to investigate back pain (BP) prevalence in a large cohort of young athletes with respect to age, gender, and sport discipline. BP (within the last 7days) was assessed with a face scale (face 1-2=no pain; face 3-5=pain) in 2116 athletes (m/f 61\%/39\%; 13.3 +/- 1.7years; 163.0 +/- 11.8cm; 52.6 +/- 13.9kg; 4.9 +/- 2.7 training years; 8.4 +/- 5.7 training h/week). Four different sports categories were devised (a: combat sports, b: game sports; c: explosive strength sport; d: endurance sport). Analysis was described descriptively, regarding age, gender, and sport. In addition, 95\% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. About 168 (8\%) athletes were allocated into the BP group. About 9\% of females and 7\% of males reported BP. Athletes, 11-13years, showed a prevalence of 2-4\%; while prevalence increased to 12-20\% in 14- to 17-year olds. Considering sport discipline, prevalence ranged from 3\% (soccer) to 14\% (canoeing). Prevalences in weight lifting, judo, wrestling, rowing, and shooting were 10\%; in boxing, soccer, handball, cycling, and horse riding, 6\%. 95\% CI ranged between 0.08-0.11. BP exists in adolescent athletes, but is uncommon and shows no gender differences. A prevalence increase after age 14 is obvious. Differentiated prevention programs in daily training routines might address sport discipline-specific BP prevalence.}, language = {en} } @article{MuellerMuellerStolletal.2014, author = {M{\"u}ller, Juliane and M{\"u}ller, Steffen and Stoll, Josefine and Baur, Heiner and Mayer, Frank}, title = {Trunk extensor and flexor strength capacity in healthy young elite athletes aged 11-15 Years}, series = {Journal of strength and conditioning research : the research journal of the NSCA}, volume = {28}, journal = {Journal of strength and conditioning research : the research journal of the NSCA}, number = {5}, publisher = {Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins}, address = {Philadelphia}, issn = {1064-8011}, doi = {10.1519/JSC.0000000000000280}, pages = {1328 -- 1334}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Mueller, J, Mueller, S, Stoll, J, Baur, H, and Mayer, F. Trunk extensor and flexor strength capacity in healthy young elite athletes aged 11-15 years. J Strength Cond Res 28(5): 1328-1334, 2014-Differences in trunk strength capacity because of gender and sports are well documented in adults. In contrast, data concerning young athletes are sparse. The purpose of this study was to assess the maximum trunk strength of adolescent athletes and to investigate differences between genders and age groups. A total of 520 young athletes were recruited. Finally, 377 (n = 233/144 M/F; 13 +/- 1 years; 1.62 +/- 0.11 m height; 51 +/- 12 kg mass; training: 4.5 +/- 2.6 years; training sessions/week: 4.3 +/- 3.0; various sports) young athletes were included in the final data analysis. Furthermore, 5 age groups were differentiated (age groups: 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 years; n = 90, 150, 42, 43, and 52, respectively). Maximum strength of trunk flexors (Flex) and extensors (Ext) was assessed in all subjects during isokinetic concentric measurements (60 degrees center dot s(-1); 5 repetitions; range of motion: 55 degrees). Maximum strength was characterized by absolute peak torque (Flex(abs), Ext(abs); N center dot m), peak torque normalized to body weight (Flex(norm), Ext(norm); N center dot m center dot kg(-1) BW), and Flex(abs)/Ext(abs) ratio (RKquot). Descriptive data analysis (mean +/- SD) was completed, followed by analysis of variance (alpha = 0.05; post hoc test [Tukey-Kramer]). Mean maximum strength for all athletes was 97 +/- 34 N center dot m in Flex(abs) and 140 +/- 50 N center dot m in Ext(abs) (Flex(norm) = 1.9 +/- 0.3 N center dot m center dot kg(-1) BW, Ext(norm) = 2.8 +/- 0.6 N center dot m center dot kg(-1) BW). Males showed statistically significant higher absolute and normalized values compared with females (p < 0.001). Flex(abs) and Ext(abs) rose with increasing age almost 2-fold for males and females (Flex(abs), Ext(abs): p < 0.001). Flex(norm) and Ext(norm) increased with age for males (p < 0.001), however, not for females (Flex(norm): p = 0.26; Ext(norm): p = 0.20). RKquot (mean +/- SD: 0.71 +/- 0.16) did not reveal any differences regarding age (p = 0.87) or gender (p = 0.43). In adolescent athletes, maximum trunk strength must be discussed in a gender- and age-specific context. The Flex(abs)/Ext(abs) ratio revealed extensor dominance, which seems to be independent of age and gender. The values assessed may serve as a basis to evaluate and discuss trunk strength in athletes.}, language = {en} } @article{MuellerMuellerBauretal.2013, author = {M{\"u}ller, Juliane and M{\"u}ller, Steffen and Baur, Heiner and Mayer, Frank}, title = {Intra-individual gait speed variability in healthy children aged 1-15 years}, series = {Gait \& posture}, volume = {38}, journal = {Gait \& posture}, number = {4}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Clare}, issn = {0966-6362}, doi = {10.1016/j.gaitpost.2013.02.011}, pages = {631 -- 636}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Introduction: Gait speed is one of the most commonly and frequently used parameters to evaluate gait development. It is characterized by high variability when comparing different steps in children. The objective of this study was to determine intra-individual gait speed variability in children. Methods: Gait speed measurements (6-10 trials across a 3 m walkway) were performed and analyzed in 8263 children, aged 1-15 years. The coefficient of variation (CV) served as a measure for intra-individual gait speed variability measured in 6.6 +/- 1.0 trials per child. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the influence of age and body height on changes in variability. Additionally, a subgroup analysis for height within the group of 6-year-old children was applied. Results: A successive reduction in gait speed variability (CV) was observed for age groups (age: 1-15 years) and body height groups (height: 0.70-1.90 m). The CV in the oldest subjects was only one third of the CV (CV 6.25 +/- 3.52\%) in the youngest subjects (CV 16.58 +/- 10.01\%). Up to the age of 8 years (or 1.40 m height) there was a significant reduction in CV over time, compared to a leveling off for the older (taller) children. Discussion: The straightforward approach measuring gait speed variability in repeated trials might serve as a fundamental indicator for gait development in children. Walking velocity seems to increase to age 8. Enhanced gait speed consistency of repeated trials develops up to age 15.}, language = {en} }