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Rheumatology 2000; 39: 1337-1340
© 2000 British Society for Rheumatology

Three-dimensional lumbar spinal kinematics: a study of range of movement in 100 healthy subjects aged 20 to 60+ years

G. Van Herp, P. Rowe, P. Salter1 and J. P. Paul2

Physiotherapy Department, Queen Margaret University College, Leith Campus-Duke Street, Edinburgh EH6 8HF
1 Faculty of Health Studies, Napier University, 74 Canaan Lane, Edinburgh EH10 4TB and
2 Bioengineering Unit, University of Strathclyde, Wolfson Centre, 106 Rottenrow, Glasgow, UK

Objective. The three-dimensional (3D) range of movement of the non-pathological lumbar spine was established using the Polhemus Navigation Sciences 3Space Isotrak system.

Methods. One hundred subjects (50 male, 50 female) ranging in age from 20 to 77 yr and with no history of recent low back pain participated in the study. Each subject performed the gross movements of forward flexion, backward extension, side-flexion to the left and right and axial rotation to the left and right. All movements were carried out at the subject's own pace.

Results. The results indicated consistently greater flexibility in females than males throughout the age range. Differences in ranges of motion were recorded between younger and older age groups. The recorded ranges of motion showed a good level of agreement with X-ray data, indicating concurrent validity and reasonable similarity with previous 3D studies using electromagnetic goniometers.

Conclusions. It would appear that the methods used in this study are capable of measuring the lumbar spinal range of motion routinely in the clinical environment.

KEY WORDS: Three-dimensional motion analysis, Isotrak, Electromagnetic, Healthy subjects, Goniometry, Lumbar spine motion, Kinematics.

Correspondence to: G. Van Herp


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