Principles of spinal stabilisation

Question 1

The spine is inherently unstable, being able to withstand a load of only _____ before it buckles into flexion.

The ability to perform such impressive feats of strength is dependent on the body’s ability to __________.

Answer 1

4-5lb - stabilise the spine

Question 2

Spine stability is about control. Name three ways we control the spine

Answer 2

Control of each vertebra
Control of the lumbar spine and pelvis
Control of whole body balance

Question 3

Three interrelated systems maintain spinal stability. These are?

Answer 3

1. Passive support
2. Active support
3. Neutral control

Question 4

Passive support, is predominently provided by the ____________

Answer 4

spinal ligaments

Question 5

Active support, is provided by __________

Answer 5

muscles through their role as stabilisers

Question 6

Neural control, provided by the _____ and __________

Answer 6

brain and wider nervous system, integrating both passive and active support

Question 7

What 2 types of ligaments help stabilise the spine?

Answer 7

The intrasegmental and intersegmental ligament systems

Question 8

What are the intrasegmental ligaments and what do they do?

Answer 8

smaller, shorter ligaments which hold individual vertebrae together.

Question 9

What are intersegmental ligaments and what do they do?

Answer 9

bigger and longer binding multiple vertebrae.

Question 10

What are the two types of core muscles called that stabilise the spine?

Answer 10

Phasic and Postural (or mobiliser & tonic)

Question 11

What are phasic (mobiliser) muscles?

Answer 11

muscles that allow us to move with strength and power.

Question 12

What are postural (tonic) muscles?

Answer 12

These muscles enable us to hold the spine in a strong position.

Question 13

Phasic muscles are primarily responsible for producing what?

Answer 13

movement

Question 14

When producing movement, phasic muscles work in phases, they turn

Answer 14

on & off

Question 15

What percentage of what kind of muscle fibres do phasic muscles contain?

Answer 15

fast twitch

Question 16

What percentage do phasic muscles activate their maximum voluntary contraction? and what is the consequence in relation to fatigue?

Answer 16

better activated at higher levels of resistance, typical 40 - 100% MVC - consequently they fatigue quickly

Question 17

Give some example of phasic muscles (2)

Answer 17

the rectus abdominis and the external obliques

Question 18

How long are phasic muscles are where are they situated in relation to the body?

Answer 18

they are quite long and are close to the surface of the body

Question 19

In relation to the joints, how many joints do phasic muscles work and where are they located

Answer 19

they work on more than one joint and are located far from the joints

Question 20

How long are postural muscles are where are they situated in relation to the body?

Answer 20

shorter than phasic and are located deeper in the body

Question 21

How many joints do postural muscles work on and where are they located?

Answer 21

Work on only one joint, which they are located close to

Question 22

How long do postural muscles work for and why (2)?

Answer 22

Postural muscles need to be able to work for long periods, as they maintain posture and prevent unwanted movement.

Question 23

What percentage do postural muscles activate their maximum voluntary contraction?

Answer 23

work at only 20–30% of MVC, generally working isometrically.

Question 24

What kind of twitch fibres do postural muscles contain and what %?

Answer 24

they tend to have a high percentage of slow-twitch fibres

Question 25

Give 2 examples of postural muscles

Answer 25

the transverse abdominis and multifidus

Question 26

What is the major cause of an imbalance between postural and phasic muscles.

Answer 26

a sedentary lifestyle

Question 27

Give a lifestyle example of someone who has imbalanced postural and phasic muscles, what this imbalance may be and what this can cause!

Answer 27

a client who is deskbound all day may have strong back extensor muscles and weak abdominal muscles. This can predispose the client to lower back problems.

Question 28

What 3 ligaments make up the intrasegmental system?

Answer 28

1. ligamentum flavum
2. interspinous
3. the intertransverse ligaments

Question 29

What 2 ligaments make up the intersegmental system?

Answer 29

the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments and the supraspinous ligaments

Question 30

What is meant by the neutral zone?

Answer 30

a region of intervertebral motion around the neutral posture where little resistance is offered by the passive spinal column.