Stroke is the main cause of chronic disability in adults, but few studies evaluated the trunk motor activity in affected subjects. OBJECTIVE: To compare the myoelectrical activity of trunk muscle in hemiparetic and control subjects. METHOD: Eight hemiparetic and eight control subjects were assessed during lower extremities flexion and trunk rotation in supine position; stand up and rise up upper extremities in seated position. RESULTS: Paretic rectus abdominis presented a higher activation than control group (p=0.031) during lower extremities elevation. Obliquus externus abdominis showed a bilateral higher activation during lower extremities elevation than rotation activities (p=0.014 and p=0.002, respectively). There was no difference in extension activities comparison. CONCLUSION: Trunk flexor muscles of hemiparetic subjects demonstrated motor alterations in rectus abdominis of paretic side and compensations were used with Obliquus externus.
stroke; paresis; electromyography; motor activity
