• Sandra E Lewis and Neil E Fowler.
• Department of Exercise and Sport Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Cheshire, United Kingdom. s.lewis@mmu.ac.uk
• Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009 Oct 1; 90 (10): 1795-9.

UnlabelledLewis SE, Fowler NE. Changes in intervertebral disk dimensions after a loading task and the relationship with stature change measurements.ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that there would be a linear relationship between overall stature change determined by stadiometry and markers of lumbar disk height loss determined from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).DesignThe short-term loading response of the lumbar spine was evaluated with both stadiometry and MRI, using a within-subject repeated-measures design. Measures were obtained both before and after 15 minutes of walking wearing a weighted vest (20% of body mass). Stature loss measured on the stadiometer was compared with change in lumbar spine length assessed from the MRI images.SettingA university laboratory.ParticipantsParticipants (N=13; mean age +/- SD, 28.5+/-5.2y; mean height +/- SD, 1.76+/-0.10m; mean body mass +/- SD, 76.6+/-14.9kg) were invited to take part in the investigation. The group was mixed (9 men, 4 women) and comprised people with no history of low back pain.InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresLumbar spine length assessed via MRI and stature change measured via stadiometry.ResultsA significant height loss was observed over the complete lumbar spine (P<.05), and a significant correlation was found between the decrease in posterior spine length and stature loss (r=.61).ConclusionsThe results were supportive of the use of stadiometry as an indirect measure of changes in intervertebral disk height.

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