Lumbar Motor Control Training

Introduction[edit | edit source]

During the 1990s and 2000s a large number of papers have been published on lumbar motor control training, led by researchers from the University of Queensland. Practitioners across the world now recognise that local (commonly called “core”) muscles such as transversus abdominis, lumbar multifidus and the pelvic floor need assessment and consideration for inclusion in an integrated treatment program. A recent systematic review evaluating the effectiveness of motor control exercise targeting these muscles concluded:

“The pooled results favored motor control exercise (MCE) compared with general exercise with regard to pain in the short and intermediate term and with regard to disability during all time periods. MCE was also superior to spinal manual therapy with regard to disability during all time periods but not with regard to pain. Compared with minimal intervention, MCE was superior with regard to both pain and disability during all time periods.”

Bystrom et al 2013[1] 

Physio 1.jpg

Figure 1: Transversus abdominis (from en.wikipedia.org)

Physio 2.jpg

Figure 2: Lumbar multifidus on the left of the spine (from en.wikipedia.org)


Justification for lumbar motor control training
[edit | edit source]

Specific motor control training as part of the treatment protocol was based on the principles developed by Richardson and colleagues.[2]Extensive research has been published on the importance of normal motor control in the lumbar spine including but not limited to:
• An anatomical and biomechanical suitability of the core muscles for providing stability to structures in the lumbar spine[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] 
• Feedforward mechanisms in people without a LBD resulting in “pre-setting” of the core muscles in anticipation of postural perturbation[13][14][15]

• Contraction of core muscles independent of direction of trunk forces and movements[16][17] 
• Maladaptive differences between people with and without LBD in terms of altered feedforward mechanisms,[18][19][20][21] reduced core muscle cross sectional size,[22][23] increased global muscle activity in certain subgroups[24] and altered cortical representation of motor patterns[25]

This substantial literature has led to the hypothesis that correcting maladaptive motor control is an important component in the rehabilitation of LBD and prevention of recurrence.[26][27] This hypothesis is strengthened based on clinical data showing a reversal of the maladaptive changes observed in people with LBD[22][28][29][30][30][31] which is not achieved by less specific exercise such as abdominal bracing or general exercise.[32][33] In addition, RCTs have shown significant improvement for pain and activity in participants receiving specific motor control training compared to usual care[34][35][36][37] with larger effects demonstrable when homogenous subgroups are recruited.[38] Recent controversy around specific motor control training[39][40] has been refuted based on an insufficient consideration of this expansive literature as a whole.[38]

There is clear and extensive mechanistic and randomised controlled trial based data supporting the rationale for precise motor control training for LBD.

Clinical application of motor control training[edit | edit source]

The principles of lumbar motor control training have been well described,[2][41] however a large amount of variability in clinical application exists between physiotherapists.[42] In addition, motor control training is commonly reported as a difficult concept to efficiently teach in people with LBD.[35][43][44] On this basis, a series of clinical decision making algorithms, based on established protocols,[2][41] has been developed and validated in a major clinical trial.[45] This article summarises the literature on lumbar motor control training in terms of mechanisms and clinical approaches to application.

The goal of the motor control program is to retrain the core muscles of the lumbar spine, comprising transversus abdominis, lumbar multifidus and the pelvic floor, to maintain a tonic and automatic contraction[20][46] at less than 30% of maximum voluntary contraction[28][30] in daily activities. In most cases this requires initial training in non-weight bearing positions using a lower abdominal drawing in manoeuvre which has been shown to selectively activate transversus abdominis.[22] Lumbar multifidus and the pelvic floor muscles, including pubococcygeus, have been shown to co-contract with transversus abdominis to provide a “corset” for the lumbo-pelvic area[47][48] and practitioners should aim to achieve such a result in association with the lower abdominal drawing in manoeuvre. Training should initially focus on quality of movement and precise isolation of the relevant core muscles which has been shown to be important in restoring normal motor control in people with LBD.[28][30] Once adequate motor control of the core muscles is achieved in non-weight bearing positions, subsequent progression to functional activities can be made.[2][22] Importantly this progression involves integration of the global muscles of the spine with the core muscles during specific functional exercises as well as during strength training of the trunk.[35] There is emerging evidence that functional retraining of normal lumbo-pelvic kinematics can improve motor control and clinical outcomes[49] and these methods should also be considered during functional motor control exercises.

There is an overlap between assessment and treatment of motor control in the lumbar spine and these processes are summarised in Figure 3 for non-weight bearing positions.

Figure 3.jpg

ASIS=anterior superior iliac spine
^MVC=maximal voluntary contraction

Figure 3: Initial non-weight bearing motor control training strategies

Adequate relaxation of the global muscles, such as rectus abdominis, external obliques and erector spinae, is required before attempting to contract the core stability muscles. Patients with maladaptive motor control strategies commonly demonstrate a dominance of the global muscles during functional tasks and at rest.[12][46] In retraining a normal motor control pattern, adequate relaxation is an important first step in inhibiting tone of the global muscles, thereby allowing a more isolated contraction of the core muscles.[50] In attaining a relaxed state, a neutral spine position should also be encouraged, as this appears to improve activation of the core muscles.[2][51]

An instruction to “draw the lower abdomen in towards the spine” should be used consistent with the developers of the abdominal drawing in method.[2] In addition to these standard instructions, the terms “slowly” and “gently” can be added to emphasise the sub-maximal nature of the contraction.[52] Tactile cues to the lower abdomen should be used in conjunction with verbal cues to provide additional emphasis on a lower rather than more general drawing in of the abdomen.[2] Non-weight bearing positions should be selected in the position where best activation of transversus abdominis is observed,[2][53] however side lying is commonly the optimal position for initial retraining[54] due to ease of obtaining relaxation of the global muscles and an improved length tension relationship in transversus abdominis compared to other positions (eg supine or crook lying).

Primary outcomes indicative of an adequate and sub-maximal transversus abdominis contraction are a 2-3cm isolated inward movement of the abdomen approximately 3cm above the pubic symphysis and a palpable slow and co-ordinated change in tone from a “soft” feel in the relaxed state to a “spongy” feel at sub-maximal contraction.[52] These palpatory findings provide the physiotherapist with information additional to observation regarding the sub-maximal nature of the contraction.[52] The physiotherapist can concurrently palpate adjacent to the L3-L5 spinous processes to assess for co-contraction of lumbar multifidus, in the process identifying whether specific multifidus retraining is also required to achieve normal motor control. Well documented substitution strategies[2] should be monitored, and patient feedback provided, to ensure the observed drawing in of the lower abdomen and the palpatory findings are not the result of activity from the global muscles, in particular internal obliques. The following figure shows examples of incorrect and correct abdominal drawing in.

Relaxed.jpg                    Overactive rectus abdominis.jpg                          Maximal voluntary contraction.jpg                                    Correct abdominal drawing in.jpg
       Relaxed                        Overactive rectus abdominis         >30% maximal voluntary contraction        Correct abdominal drawing in 

Figure 4: Correct and incorrect abdominal drawing in


For assessment of transversus abdominis the processes described in Figure 3 can be carried out with patient feedback from the physiotherapist for 2-3 repetitions. Patients can then commence motor control training, in the position of highest functional demand where correct contraction of the core muscles can be achieved. This allows motor control training in a position specific to the patient’s capabilities and where improvement can be attained with between session practice. Side lying is generally recommended for patients where motor control is poor or inconsistent.

In the event of the patient not being able to engage transversus abdominis in any position with the processes described in Figure 3, a range of additional facilitation strategies can be attempted by the physiotherapist (Figure 4). These methods can also be used for patients who have good control of transversus abdominis but poor control of lumbar multifidus and/or poor awareness of pelvic floor activation.

Figure 5.jpg

Figure 5: Activation and facilitation of transversus abdominis, lumbar multifidus and pelvic floor motor control


In patients where transversus abdominis is difficult to isolate, activation was facilitated by an initial focus on the pelvic floor and/or lumbar multifidus.[2][55] In such cases the strategies listed in Figure 5 are applied and co-contraction of transversus abdominis is concurrently monitored. In the event of co-contraction occurring, the patient should be encouraged to focus on awareness of simultaneous activation of transversus abdominis as well as the pelvic floor and/or lumbar multifidus. The pelvic floor instructions aim to illustrate the anatomy of the region and provide guidance in performing a submaximal isotonic contraction. The multifidus instructions aim to provide guidance in performing a submaximal isometric contraction. If necessary, multifidus can be facilitated by provision of kinaesthetic feedback to the patient with an initial isotonic contraction, followed by an attempt to transfer this awareness to the required isometric contraction.

During all motor control training the patient should be encouraged to develop a kinaesthetic awareness of the correct motor pattern. This is important in order for the patient to have some form of proprioceptive feedback regarding correct performance of the exercises when practising between sessions.[2] Subsequently during the treatment program, adequate kinaesthetic awareness of normal motor control is also required for transference into more functional and demanding exercises/activities. Due to the effect of even low force postural perturbation in initiating maladaptive motor patterns,[18][19][21] patients should be instructed not to self palpate as means of providing feedback on exercise performance until more consistent motor control skills are demonstrated. Self palpation can also focus the patient on tone rather than the primary goal of an isolated drawing in of the lower abdomen.

Once an appropriate motor control strategy, exercise and starting position has been identified, a detailed information sheet should be provided and explained to the patient. The content should include information on the anatomy and normal function of the core muscles, the general principle of progressing motor control training from non-weight bearing to functional activities, and instructions for between session practice. The physiotherapist should document an appropriate dosage regime on the information sheet according to the principles outlined in Figure 6. Over the following sessions the physiotherapist, working with the patient, should aim to achieve a tonic contraction of the core muscles, during walking for two minutes before progressing to more advanced functional training.

Figure 6.jpg

Figure 6: Dosage and progression of motor control training


Functional motor control training
[edit | edit source]

Once adequate motor control has been demonstrated in walking, the patient should commence functional motor control training. In keeping with the principles of exercise prescription and rehabilitation, a graded exercise program based on the functional requirements of the patient’s own goals should be prescribed. Each exercise should be completed with tonic control of the core muscles in a correct motor control pattern. Key components of this program should include:
• Supervised functional exercise and motor control training at least weekly for at least 3 weeks in the clinic gym
• A focus on the quality of functional movement including facilitation of correct posture and lumbo-pelvic kinematics
• Concurrent between session functional exercise and motor control training at least 5 times a week for 15-45 minutes
• Patient documentation of exercise compliance using an exercise diary
• Regular patient/physiotherapist review of activity and exercise based goals with positive reinforcement of progress made
• A planned progression towards independence after completion of around 10 treatment sessions with the provision of a medium and long term exercise plan

A more detailed outline of functional rehabilitation will be completed in another article. However an example of a patient information sheet regarding functional motor control is shown in Figure 7.

Lifting light weights will build up your core stability in preparation for heavier lifting, gardening and housework. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with your palm facing forward and arms straight. Without moving your upper arm, bend your left elbow and curl the dumbbell up toward the shoulder. Lower the left and curl the right arm. Perform the movement with good control of the trunk and arms.

Lifting light weights 1.jpg                  Lifting light weights 2.jpg 

Figure 7: Patient information sheet for biceps curls as a method of motor control training during low level manual handling of external resistance

Physical Management[edit | edit source]

Are Stabilisation exercices effective ?

The results of this current systematic review suggest that stabilisation exercises improves low back pain symptoms, but no better than any other form of active exercise in the long term. The low levels of heterogeneity and large number of high methodological quality of available studies, at long term follow- up, strengthen our current findings. There is a trend of worse fear avoidance scores.

This review cannot recommend stabilisation exercises for low back pain in preference to other forms of general exercise, and further research is unlikely to considerably alter this conclusion. (Level of evidence : 1a)[56]

Are Motor Control exercices effective ?

MCE is probably more effective than a minimal intervention for reducing pain, but

probably does not have an important effect on disability, in patients with chronic LBP. There was no clinically important difference between MCE and other forms of exercises or manual therapy for acute and chronic LBP. [57] (Level of evidence : 1)

Core Stability in Athletes

MCE is probably more effective than a minimal intervention for reducing pain, but probably does not have an important effect on disability, in patients with chronic LBP. There was no clinically important difference between MCE and other forms of exercises or manual therapy for acute and chronic LBP.[58](level of evidence : 3a)

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