Investigation of spinal posture signatures and ground reaction forces during landing in elite female gymnasts

The link between static and dynamic landing lumbar postures, when gymnasts are exposed to large ground reaction forces, has not been established. This investigation aimed to (a) determine if a relationship exists between sagittal static and dynamic landing lumbar spine angles at peak ground reaction...

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Main Authors: Wade, M., Campbell, Amity, Smith, Anne, Norcott, J., O'Sullivan, Peter
Format: Journal Article
Published: Human Kinetics 2013
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.humankinetics.com/Journals
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/45420
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author Wade, M.
Campbell, Amity
Smith, Anne
Norcott, J.
O'Sullivan, Peter
author_facet Wade, M.
Campbell, Amity
Smith, Anne
Norcott, J.
O'Sullivan, Peter
author_sort Wade, M.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description The link between static and dynamic landing lumbar postures, when gymnasts are exposed to large ground reaction forces, has not been established. This investigation aimed to (a) determine if a relationship exists between sagittal static and dynamic landing lumbar spine angles at peak ground reaction force (GRF) and (b) quantify how close to end-range postures the gymnasts were at landing peak GRF. Twenty-one female gymnasts’ upper and lower lumbar spine angles were recorded: statically in sitting and standing, during landing of three gymnastic skills, and during active end-range lumbar flexion. Pearson’s correlations were used to investigate relationships between the angles in different postures. Significant correlations (r = .77–.89, p < .01) were found between all the static/dynamic postures in the lower lumbar spine angle, while fewer and less significant upper lumbar spine correlations were reported. Thirty percent of gymnasts landed a backsault with their lower lumbar spine flexed beyond their active end-range while experiencing GRF 6.8–13.3 times their body weight. These results inform low back pain prevention and management strategies in this population and highlight areas for future research.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-454202017-01-30T15:20:44Z Investigation of spinal posture signatures and ground reaction forces during landing in elite female gymnasts Wade, M. Campbell, Amity Smith, Anne Norcott, J. O'Sullivan, Peter lumbar region loading injury gymnastics posture The link between static and dynamic landing lumbar postures, when gymnasts are exposed to large ground reaction forces, has not been established. This investigation aimed to (a) determine if a relationship exists between sagittal static and dynamic landing lumbar spine angles at peak ground reaction force (GRF) and (b) quantify how close to end-range postures the gymnasts were at landing peak GRF. Twenty-one female gymnasts’ upper and lower lumbar spine angles were recorded: statically in sitting and standing, during landing of three gymnastic skills, and during active end-range lumbar flexion. Pearson’s correlations were used to investigate relationships between the angles in different postures. Significant correlations (r = .77–.89, p < .01) were found between all the static/dynamic postures in the lower lumbar spine angle, while fewer and less significant upper lumbar spine correlations were reported. Thirty percent of gymnasts landed a backsault with their lower lumbar spine flexed beyond their active end-range while experiencing GRF 6.8–13.3 times their body weight. These results inform low back pain prevention and management strategies in this population and highlight areas for future research. 2013 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/45420 http://www.humankinetics.com/Journals http://journals.humankinetics.com/AcuCustom/SiteName/Documents/DocumentItem/06_Campbell_JAB_2011_0086.pdf Human Kinetics fulltext
spellingShingle lumbar region
loading
injury
gymnastics
posture
Wade, M.
Campbell, Amity
Smith, Anne
Norcott, J.
O'Sullivan, Peter
Investigation of spinal posture signatures and ground reaction forces during landing in elite female gymnasts
title Investigation of spinal posture signatures and ground reaction forces during landing in elite female gymnasts
title_full Investigation of spinal posture signatures and ground reaction forces during landing in elite female gymnasts
title_fullStr Investigation of spinal posture signatures and ground reaction forces during landing in elite female gymnasts
title_full_unstemmed Investigation of spinal posture signatures and ground reaction forces during landing in elite female gymnasts
title_short Investigation of spinal posture signatures and ground reaction forces during landing in elite female gymnasts
title_sort investigation of spinal posture signatures and ground reaction forces during landing in elite female gymnasts
topic lumbar region
loading
injury
gymnastics
posture
url http://www.humankinetics.com/Journals
http://www.humankinetics.com/Journals
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/45420