Objective
For spinal flexibility measurements, understanding of how different clinical variables affect therange of motion (ROM) of spine is important. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors affecting the ROM of spine.
Subjects & Methods
401 healthy adults (166 men, 235 women) were included in this study. For clinical characteristics, patient (gender, age, height, weight), radiology (Whole spine AP, Lat), BMI, the muscle strength of trunkwere collected. The mean age was 25±5 years and the mean height and weight was 165.7±8 cm, 62.3±12 kg.
One examiner measured the active ROM of spine by Dualer IQ Inclinometer(J-tech, USA) sensors on reference and reading points. We measured the ROM of cervical flexion/extension/lateral bending/rotation, thoracolumbar flexion/extension/lateral flexion/rotation. The AMA (American Medical Association) 5th protocol was used to measure spine ROM and one examiner measured the active ROM of spine, 3 times.
The muscle strength of trunk was measured by Biodexisokinetic strength testing machine(Biodex Medical Systems, Inc., NY, USA).
We analyzed the relationship between the ROM of spine and gender, age, scoliosis (cobb’s angle), BMI and muscle strength of trunk. Data were analyzed x2-test, t-test, and binary logistic regression using the SPSS V21.0.Pearson’s correlation was applied at the .05 level of significance.
Results
Among 401 adults, 68 showed scoliosis (Cobb’s angle > 10 degree).
First, for gender, female showed higher ROM in cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, thracolumbar lateral flexion. It was statistically significant. (p <0.05)Second, for age, we compared by two groups ; age in twenties and thirties. Cervical lateral flexion(Both), Thoracic Extension showed statistically significant difference. Third, regarding the relationship between ROM of spine and age, as increasing age, cervical Extension, Cervical Lateral Flexion(Right), Cervical Lateral Flexion(Left), Cervical Rotation(Left), Thoracolumbar Extension, Thoracolumbar Flexion(Right), Thoracolumbar Flexion(Left) were lowered. It had negative correlation. Fourth, for scoliosis, in thoracolumbar extension, it showed difference between 10~15 degree groupd and 15~20 degree group (P<.05). Scoliosis group (Cobb’s angle >10 degree) showed no statistically significant difference compared with normal group. Fifth. BMI showed correlation in Cervical Flexion, Cervical Extension, Cervical Lateral flexion(Left), Cervical Rotation(Left). As BMI increased these range of motion were decreased. Finally, the muscle strength of spine affected the ROM of spine. As peak torque/body weight increased, cervical lateral flexion (Right) decreased and thoracolumbar flexion, rotation were increased.
Conclusions
The factors affecting the range of motion of spine are gender, age, BMI andmuscle strength of trunk. Assessing the range of motion of spine, physicians should consider the effects of these factors. |
