Table 1. Comparison of muscle activities between the exercises performed with and without a stick during backward return from forward bending

Muscles	Without stick (%MVIC)	With stick (%MVIC)	t	p
Right gluteus maximus	10.95±4.91	16.37±10.68	−2.66	0.01*
Left gluteus maximus	9.86±9.88	16.03±14.23	−2.85	0.01*
Right erector spinae	44.27±14.93	39.04±14.83	2.88	0.01*
Left erector spinae	49.31±13.24	42.30±11.72	2.77	0.01*

Abbreviations: MVIC, maximal voluntary isometric contraction.