Three-dimensional kinematic analysis of pelvic and lower extremity differences during trunk rotation in subjects with and without chronic low back pain.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate three-dimensional angular changes of the pelvis and lower extremities during trunk axial rotation in subjects with and without chronic low back pain (LBP).

DESIGN

Repeated-measures design.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty volunteers participated in the study (15 with LBP, 15 without LBP). The mean age of the subjects was 44 (standard deviation 15.8) years (range 27 to 63 years).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

All participants were asked to perform five sets of axial trunk rotation activities with a bar in a standing position. The outcome measures included three-dimensional rotational angles of the pelvis and lower extremities (foot, calf and thigh).

RESULTS

The angular change of the pelvis in the sagittal plane differed between subjects with and without LBP (P=0.03). There were no significant differences in angular changes of the lower extremities in the frontal and transverse planes between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The angular change of the pelvis in the sagittal plane differed significantly between groups. Further research is needed to investigate the three-dimensional characteristics of biomechanical and neuromuscular aspects in subjects with LBP.