Trunk muscle activity and kinematics during boxing and battle rope exercise in people with motor-complete spinal cord injury

This study looks at how trunk muscles are used during boxing and battle rope exercises in people with motor-complete spinal cord injury (mcSCI). It compares their muscle activation and movements to able-bodied controls. The researchers measured muscle activity (EMG) and movement (kinematics) of the trunk and arms while participants performed boxing punches and battle rope exercises. The study found that people with mcSCI showed higher relative muscle activity in their trunk during these exercises, but they also tended to have increased trunk curvature, suggesting they may be adopting different postures to maintain balance.

• 1
  Boxing and battle ropes elicited higher relative EMG activity in people with mcSCI compared to controls.
• 2
  Participants with mcSCI had similar upper-limb kinematics during the exercises to controls, but demonstrated reduced trunk rotation and increased trunk curvature.
• 3
  The normalized trunk EMG activation was greater in SCI participants compared to AB participants, representing a greater relative effort required to complete the task.