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Medicina dello Sport 2010 December;63(4):509-19

Copyright © 2011 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Sagittal spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt in elite young kayakers

López-Miñarro P. A. ¹, Muyor J. M. ², Alacid F. ³

¹ Department of Physical Education, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain 2 Department of Physical Education, University of Almería, Almería, Spain 3 Department of Sport Sciences, University of Murcia, San Javer, Spain

Aim. The aim of this paper was to describe and compare the sagittal spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt in elite young paddlers in several positions.
Methods. Forty elite young paddlers between 15-16 year-old participated in this study. Thoracic and lumbar curves and pelvic tilt were measured with a Spinal Mouse system while relaxed standing, slumped sitting, relaxed sitting in the kayak and at the catch phase of the stroke (when the blade first contacts the water).
Results. The mean (±SEM) thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis while standing were 45.53±1.53º and -28.23±1.69º, respectively. There was a greater proportion of thoracic hyperkyphotic postures in paddlers (63.0%) while the lumbar curve showed more neutral postures (87.5%). When the paddlers were seated in their kayak and at the catch phase, the thoracic curve was lower than in the standing posture (P<0.001). The lumbar curve adopted a kyphotic posture. The pelvic position when standing showed a slight anterior pelvic tilt, while in all sitting positions it showed a posterior pelvic tilt. In the stroke position, there was a reduction in spinal flexion and posterior pelvic tilt with regards to relaxed sitting in the kayak and slumped sitting.
Conclusion. The kayakers adopt a lumbar flexed posture and posterior pelvic tilt in their kayak, although this position may not affect the sagittal configuration of lumbar and thoracic spine in standing. The standing thoracic hyperkyphosis in adolescent paddlers may be related to factors other than the seated position in the kayak. Postural training should be included in the systematic training to improve the lumbar and pelvic posture during the stroke.