COMPARISON OF SPINAL SAGITTAL ALIGNMENT AND MOBILITY AMONG STANDING, SITTING, AND FOUR POINT KNEELING POSTURES / 体力科学

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare sagittal spinal alignment and mobility among standing and sitting (which are fundamental postures in daily activities), and four point kneeling (FPK the imitation of quadrupedal animal posture).METHODS: Fifty three healthy young men have participated in this study. Spinal alignment is measured using a non-invasive skin surface measurement device (Spinal Mouse® Index Ltd, Japan). The spinal alignment is measured in 3 positions upright, flexion, and extension, in each posture (standing, sitting, and FPK), and then the thoracic and lumbar curvature and sacral slope are analyzed.RESULTS: Even between 2 fundamental positions, upright standing and sitting, the lumbar lordosis is statistically different (17.1±8.9° at upright standing, 3.5±10.0° at upright sitting, p<0.001). But the sacral slope is not different between those 2 positions. The lumbo-pelvic rhythm (lumbar-hip or lumbar-pelvis flexion ratio) is also different among the 3 postures, especially in FPK posture. In this posture the lumbar spine and pelvis (sacrum) move to opposite direction each other; this phenomenon is not observed at standing and sitting postures. CONCLUSION: The spinal alignment and mobility are different in many segments among standing, sitting, and FPK.