Sensorimotor Aspects of the Spine in Athletes and Non-Athletes

Thorwesten L, Kreimer J, Fromme A , Mooren FCh, Völker K

Abstract in digital collection (conference)

Abstract

Deficits in proprioceptive capabilities are often associated with the occurrence of low back pain as seen in tests involving exact position reproduction. The degree to which athletic activity can improve kinesthetic sensibility ofthe spine has not been satisfactorily determined previously. Twenty-seven volunteers ( within the age 30.4 ± 4.4 years) were divided intotwo groups: athletes (n = 18; training 5.7 ± 3.8 h/week) and non athletes(n = 9). During an active reproduction test, subjects perforrned the following trunk positions in random order: flexion (A{10°- 20°]. B [40°- 60°], C [80°- 90°]), lateral flexion (A [0°-20 °], 8[20°- 45°1), and axial rotation (A [0°- 20°], B [20°-45 °]). Using a 3 D-ultrasound motion analysis system the variability of the given angle was recorded for each trial. A !arge variation was generally dernonstrated in the measured values. Regarding the accurate reproduction of a given angle, the athlete group showed less discrepancy with a smaller standard deviation than the non-athletegroup. These results point to superior kinesthetic abilities in the athlete group and the possibility of improving proprioceptive functions with training.

Details zur Publikation

Publisher: Halle M
Book title: Int. J. Sports. Med.
Release year: 1999
Publishing company: Thieme Verlag
Language in which the publication is written: English
Event: Stuttgart