Affiliations: [a] Department of Medical Rehabilitation, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria | [b] Department of Community Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu State, Nigeria | [c] School of Health Technology, Oji-River, Enugu State, Nigeria
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Uchechukwu Anthonia Ezugwu, Department of Medical Rehabilitation, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: BACKGROUND: High prevalence of breastfeeding (BF)-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in nursing mothers have been reported in previous studies. Studies are scarce on the biomechanical effects of the commonly utilized BF positions. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the electromyographic (EMG) activities of the trunk muscles in response to three BF positions commonly utilized by mothers globally. METHODS: 20 non-pregnant nulliparous females participated in this experimental study. EMG activities from erector spinae (ES) and external oblique (EO) muscles were recorded bilaterally in three BF conditions: cradle (C1); cross-cradle (C2); football (FB). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics of one-way analysis of variance with alpha level set at 0.05. RESULTS: The activity levels of right EO and ES muscles significantly increased during the C2 hold, while the left EO and ES muscles revealed significantly higher EMG levels in the C1 trial. Asymmetrical activity between the right and the left parts of the EO muscle was significantly higher during the C2 hold. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that compared to C2 and C1 holds, FB hold may be more biomechanically efficient relative to its decreased muscular demands. The physical stresses associated with BF may be higher with the adoption of C2 and C1 holds, especially for prolonged periods.
