• Ji-yeon Yoon, Ji-won Kim, Min-hyeok Kang, Duk-hyun An, and Jae-seop Oh.
• Motion Analysis Laboratory, Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea.
• J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2015 Jan 1; 28 (2): 359-64.

Background And ObjectiveForward bending is frequently performed in daily activities. However, excessive lumbar flexion during forward bending has been reported as a risk factor for low back pain. Therefore, we examined the effects of an exercise strategy using a stick on the angular displacement and movement onset of lumbar and hip flexion during forward-bending exercises in patients with lumbar flexion syndrome.MethodsEighteen volunteers with lumbar flexion syndrome were recruited in this study. Subjects performed forward-bending exercises with and without a straight stick in standing. The angular displacement and movement onset of lumbar and hip flexion during forward-bending exercises were measured by using a three dimensional motion analysis system. The significances of differences between the two conditions (with stick vs. without stick) was assessed using a one-way repeated analysis of variance.ResultsWhen using a stick during a forward-bending exercise, the peak angular displacement of lumbar flexion decreased significantly, and those of right and left-hip flexion increased significantly compared with those without a stick. The movement onset of lumbar flexion occurred significantly later, and the onset of right-hip flexion occurred significantly earlier with than without a stick.ConclusionsBased on these findings, a stick exercise was an effective method to prevent excessive lumbar flexion and more helpful in developing hip flexion during a forward-bending exercise. These findings will be useful for clinicians to teach self-exercise during forward bending in patients with lumbar flexion syndrome.

29 keywords...

hide…