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Abstract

Risk of low back disorders (LBD) is related to spinal posture with greater risk reported in flexed and asymmetric trunk positions. Spinal posture, including trunk position and lumbar lordosis, influences spinal load and stability. Hence, the ability to accurately sense and control spinal curvature may be an important factor in the control LBD risk. Current measurement demonstrated error in spinal reposition sense was increased in flexed trunk positions but was not found to change significantly with trunk asymmetry. Reposition sense error was also found to be reduced in more kyphotic flexed postures (relative to more lordotic flexed postures) possibly due to position sense feedback from ligamentous strain. This research suggests that it may be difficult to control spinal curvature in flexed positions, leading to an increased risk of injury. Fully flexed, kyphotic postures (“stooped postures”) have an improved reposition sensitivity, making this posture easier to control. However these postures may be more susceptible to viscoelastic strain and injury of the ligamentous tissue.

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Reposition Sense of Lumbar Posture as a Function of Torso Angle and Target Lordosis

Abstract

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