IJPR.2022.169
Type of Article: Original Research
Volume 10; Issue 6 (December 2022)
Page No.: 4417-4423
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijpr.2022.169
Relationship Between Thoracic Flexibility and Spinal Curvature During Trunk Extension in Healthy Adults
Shigeki Yokoyama, PT, PhD *1, Makoto Nejishima, PT, PhD 2, Takashi Higuchi, PT, PhD 3; Satoshi Ishino, PT 4.
*1 Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Science, Kyoto Tachibana University, 34 Ohyakeyamada-machi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto-city, Kyoto 607-8175, Japan
2 Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Seirei Christopher University
3 Department of Physical Therapy, Osaka University of Human Sciences
4 Department of Physical Therapy, Ando Clinic
Corresponding author: Shigeki Yokoyama, PT, PhD, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Science, Kyoto Tachibana University, 34 Ohyakeyamada-machi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto-city, Kyoto 607-8175, Japan Tel/Fax: +81 75 574 4327 E-Mail: yokoyama-s@tachibana-u.ac.jp
ABSTRACT
Background: Non-specific lower back pain is a common medically and economically impactful condition that affects patients’ quality of life.
Purpose: This study aimed to determine the relationship between thoracic expansion and spinal curvature angle during trunk extension in healthy participants.
Results: The participants comprised 24 men aged 18–21 years. The measurement items included the lateral and longitudinal diameters of the thorax, measured at the level of the xiphoid process and 10th rib, and spinal curvature angle, measured in the upright posture and trunk extension position. The difference in thoracic expansion levels during trunk extension tended to be greater in the lower thorax than in the upper thorax, with the lateral diameter higher than the longitudinal diameter. The inferior thoracic and lumbar curvatures increased with trunk extension. Regarding the relationship between the difference in thoracic expansion and the amount of change in the spinal curvature, the difference in the expiratory lateral diameter of the lower thorax during trunk extension was positively correlated with the superior thoracic curvature during trunk extension.
Conclusions: These results indicate that expansion of the lower thoracic lateral diameter increased the thoracic curvature during trunk extension exercises. Consequently, the lumbar curvature may be suppressed. Reduced lower thorax flexibility may enhance lumbar curvature during trunk extension. Therefore, flexibility of the lower lateral thoracic diameter may be a factor when preventing lower back pain.
Key words: Thorax, Lateral Diameter, Longitudinal Diameter, Trunk Extension, Chest Griping.
REFERENCES
[1]. Balagué F, Mannion AF, Pellisé F, Cedraschi C. Non-specific low back pain. Lancet 2012; 379: 482–491.
[2]. Laird RA, Gilbert J, Kent P, Keating JL. Comparing lumbo-pelvic kinematics in people with and without back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2014, 15: 229.
[3]. Tojima M, Ogata N, Nakahara Y, Haga N. Three-dimensional motion analysis of lumbopelvic rhythm during trunk extension. J Hum Kinet 2016; 50: 53–62.
[4]. Avman MA, Osmotherly PG, Snodgrass S, Rivett DA. Is there an association between hip range of motion and non-specific low back pain? A systematic review. Musculoskelet Sci Pract 2019; 42: 38–51.
[5]. Król A, Polak M, Szczygieł E, Wójcik P, Gleb K. Relationship between mechanical factors and pelvic tilt in adults with and without low back pain. J Back Musculoskelet Rehab 2017; 30: 699–705.
[6]. Lee D. The pelvic girdle: an approach to the examination and treatment of the lumbopelvic-hip region. 2004. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh.
[7]. Debouche S, Pitance L, Robert A, Liistro G, Reychler G. Reliability and reproducibility of chest wall expansion measurement in young healthy adults. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2016; 39: 443–449.
[8]. Bockenhauer SE, Chen H, Julliard KN, Weedon J. Measuring thoracic excursion: reliability of the cloth tape measure technique. J Am Osteopath Assoc 2007; 107: 191–196.
[9]. Higuchi T, Ichinose H, Ito K, Kitano R, Sadakiyo M, Sugino S, Sadamatsu T, Gamada K. Effect of a thoracic conditioning program for scapular positioning and lower thoracic extensibility on high school baseball pitchers. Japan J Clin Sport Med 2013; 21: 744–751.
[10]. Yonemoto K, Ishigami S, Kondo T. Joint range of motion indication and methodology revision proposal. Japan J Rehab Med 1995; 32: 207–217.
[11]. Lee D. Biomechanics of the thorax: A clinical mode of in vivo function. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1993; 1: 13–21.
[12]. Ichinose H, Ito K, Sugino S, Akiyama K, Nejishima M, Gamada K. The immediate effects of ATM2 training on pelvic alignment, lower thorax expansion and pain in patients with low back pain during trunk extension. Japan J Clin Sport Med 2013; 21: 725–730.
[13]. Morita D, Yukawa Y, Nakashima H, Ito K, Yoshida G, Machino M, Kanbara S, Iwase T, Kato F. Range of motion of thoracic spine in sagittal plane. Eur Spine J 2014; 23: 673–678.
[14]. Panjabi MM, Brand RA Jr, White AA 3rd. Mechanical properties of the human thoracic spine as shown by three-dimensional load-displacement curves. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1976; 58: 642–652.
[15]. Narimani M, Arjmand N. Three-dimensional primary and coupled range of motions and movement coordination of the pelvis, lumbar and thoracic spine in standing posture using inertial tracking device. J Biomech 2018; 69: 169–174.
