Background: Prone hip extension (PHE) can be performed to measure the lumbopelvic motor patterns and motions. Imbalances in lumbopelvic muscle activity and muscle weakness can result in instability including pain in lumbopelvic region. The posterior oblique sling (POS) muscles contribute to dynamic lumbopelvic stability. In addition, POS are anatomically aligned with the trapezius muscle group according to shoulder positions. Objects: This study compared the electromyography (EMG) activity of POS and pelvic compensations during PHE with and without pre-activation of lower trapezius muscle (lowT). Methods: Sixteen healthy males were recruited. PHE was performed in randomized order: PHE with and without lowT pre-activation. Surface EMG signals were recorded for biceps femoris (BF), gluteus maximus (GM) (ipsilateral), lumbar multifidus (MF) (bilateral), and the lowT (contralateral). An electromagnetic tracking motion analysis was used to measure the angle of pelvic rotation and anterior tilting. Results: The ipsilateral GM and bilateral MF EMG amplitudes were greater during PHE with lowT pre-activation compared to PHE without lowT pre-activation (p<.05). The BF amplitude during PHE without lowT pre-activation was significantly greater than that during PHE with lowT pre-activation (p<.05). The angles of pelvic rotation and anterior tilting during PHE with lowT pre-activation were significantly smaller compared to PHE without lowT pre-activation (p<.05). Conclusion: PHE with lowT pre-activation, which is aligned with the POS, showed more increased MF and GM muscular activity with smaller lumbopelvic compensations in rotation and anterior tilting compared to PHE without lowT pre-activation.

• In-cheol Jeon(Kinetic Ergocise Based on Movement Analysis Laboratory,Dept. of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University)
• Sung-min Ha(Dept. of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Sangji University)
• Ui-jae Hwang(Kinetic Ergocise Based on Movement Analysis Laboratory,Dept. of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University)
• Sung-hoon Jung(Kinetic Ergocise Based on Movement Analysis Laboratory,Dept. of Physical Therapy, The Graduate School, Yonsei University)
• Hyun-sook Kim(Dept. of Physical Therapy, Yeoju Institute of Technology)
• Oh-yun Kwon(Kinetic Ergocise Based on Movement Analysis Laboratory,Dept. of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Yonsei University)