Changes in lumbopelvic rhythm during trunk extension in adolescent soccer players

Characteristics of the Kicking Motion in Adolescent Male Soccer Players Who Develop Osgood-Schlatter Disease: A Prospective Study

Background:

Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is an apophysitis of the tibial tubercle caused by repeated traction of the patellar tendon during adolescence. Although OSD is associated more with sports such as soccer, it remains unclear whether the kicking motion itself is related to OSD onset.

Purpose:

To prospectively evaluate the kicking motion in adolescent soccer players who later developed OSD.

Study Design:

Case-control study.

Methods:

The authors observed 47 Japanese adolescent male soccer players (mean age, 12 years) over 6 months in 2018-2019; none of the participants had OSD at study onset. The players underwent tibial tubercle ultrasound at baseline, and their kicking motion was evaluated using 3-dimensional (3D) motion analysis with 65 reflective markers. The 3D angle of the lumbar spine, thorax, and pelvis and the angular velocity of the hips, knees, and ankles were calculated for the support leg. The kicking motion was divided into 8 phases, and ball speed, kicking time, and positions of the support (nonkicking) leg and center of mass (COM) from the ball were calculated for each phase. Six months later, the players underwent another ultrasound and were divided into 2 groups: those diagnosed with OSD in the support leg (OSD group) and those without OSD (normal [NRL] group). All factors calculated using the kicking motion analysis at the baseline were compared between groups.

Results:

There were 19 players in the OSD group and 28 players in the NRL group. Anthropometric measurements, ball speed, and kicking time were similar between the 2 groups. The forward translation of the COM and the support leg, the flexion angle of the thorax, and the rotation angle of the pelvis before impact with the ball were all significantly smaller in the OSD group than in the NRL group (P < .05). Moreover, the knee extension angular velocity of the support leg was significantly larger in the OSD group (P < .05) at ball impact.

Conclusion:

A kicking motion with small COM translation, small thoracic flexion, and small pelvic rotation before ball impact, as well as large knee extension angular velocity of the support leg at ball impact, may be associated with OSD onset.

Relationship between low back pain and lumbar and hip joint movement in desk workers

[Purpose] The study aimed to determine the relationship between low back pain and lumbar and hip movement in desk workers with chronic non-specific low back pain, in order to obtain basic data regarding measures for preventing low back pain in desk workers. [Participants and Methods] The study included 10 desk workers (all female, age: 47.1 ± 6.0 years). The following measurements were recorded: numerical rating scale score for pain assessment at the time of maximum forward and backward bending of the trunk while standing, and the amount of movement of the trunk and the lumbar and hip joint. The ratio of the lumbar and hip joint movements during maximum forward and backward bending of the trunk was calculated. [Results] For maximum forward and backward bending of the trunk, a positive correlation between the numerical rating scale score and the ratio of movement for the lumbar and a negative correlation with that of the hip joint were noted. [Conclusion] Moving the hip joint while suppressing excessive lumbar movement is one of the measures for preventing low back pain in desk workers.

Factors Associated with Ball Velocity and Low Back Pain During Kicking in Adolescent Soccer Players

Purpose

The factors associated with low back pain (LBP) and the relationship between LBP and ball velocity during kicking motion of adolescent soccer players remain largely unknown. This study aims to clarify the relationship between increasing ball velocity and LBP in adolescent soccer players.

Participants and Methods

Adolescent soccer players were divided into two groups according to the presence and absence of LBP (LBP group, n=38 and NBP (no back pain) group, n=29, respectively). Real-time kick motion was measured using a three-dimensional motion analysis system and the angle of the lumbar spine, hip, and center of mass (COM) were calculated. Regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with ball velocity and LBP. In addition, Pearson’s correlation coefficients were determined between the angle of the lumbar spine and hip, and ball velocity and position of COM in the extracted phase from regression analysis.

Results

The major factor associated with increasing ball velocity was the rotation angle of both hips (Adjusted R²=0.244) and vertical position of COM during kicking (Adjusted R²=0.262). Furthermore, the factors associated with LBP were the flexion angle of kick-side hip (OR=1.126) and abduction angle of both hips (kick-side OR=1.124; support-side OR=0.872). The factors for ball velocity and LBP were related to the maximum hip extension phase. In the hip extension phase of kicking, compared with the NBP group, the LBP group showed lesser extension and external rotation of the kick-side hip angle. In the hip flexion phase of kicking, the ball velocity was correlated with vertical (r=0.56)/anterior (r=0.46) position of COM in the NBP group.

Conclusion

To compensate for this restricted hip motion, the LBP group could extend and rotate their lumbar spine, which may likely cause stress to this region.

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Association Among Dyskinesia of the Lumbar Spine Segment, Inclination Angle of the Lumbosacral Spine, and Low Back Pain in Young Athletes: A Predictive Correlational Study

OBJECTIVE

This predictive correlational study aimed to investigate the association among low back pain (LBP), dyskinesia of the lumbosacral spine segment (determined by inertial sensors), and inclination angles: the inclination angle of the lumbosacral spine (alpha), the inclination angle of the thoracolumbar spine (beta), and the inclination angle of the upper thoracic section (gamma). Our hypothesis was that young athletes with LBP had a particular dyskinesia: nonphysiological movements of the lumbosacral segment of the spine.

METHODS

The study group consisted of 108 young athletes aged 10 to 16 years (male/female 44%/56%; 12.3 ± 1.8 years; 160.1 ± 12.0 cm; 51.1 ± 13.8 kg; 4.3 ± 2.4 training years; 3.7 ± 2.1 training h/wk). The alpha, beta, and gamma angles were measured with a digital inclinometer. The position of the lumbosacral segment at the maximum extension was determined with the inertial sensors, positioned at the 11th thoracic vertebra (T11), the third lumbar spine vertebra (L3), and the second sacral spine vertebra (S2). The data were analyzed using Student's t tests, tetrachoric correlation coefficients, and logistic regression.

RESULTS

There was a significant statistical difference in alpha angles (t = 9.4, P < .001) and lumbar positions in extension (t = 6.4, P < .001) between groups with LBP and without LBP. The logistic regression indicated that LBP in young athletes was significantly associated with the increased alpha angle and nonphysiological lumbar position in extension measured by a sensor at the third lumbar spine vertebra.

CONCLUSION

There was a strong association among LBP, increased inclination angle of the lumbosacral spine, and dyskinesia of the lumbar spine segment in young athletes.

Changes in hip and spine movement with increasing running speed

[Purpose] We aimed to clarify and compare the changes in thoracic and lumbar spine motion and to elucidate the relationship between hip and lumbar spine motion during running. [Participants and Methods] Seven healthy females were recruited in this study. Hip and spine movement were measured using a 3D motion analysis system when running at 6, 9, and 12 km/h. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the changes in hip joint and spine angles during running. Correlation coefficient analysis was used to determine the relationship between the hip and lumbar spine angles at right and left toe-offs. [Results] As the running speed increased, the rotation angles of the thoracic and lumbar spine and the extension angles of the lumbar spine and hip joint significantly increased in the late stance phase. Significant positive relationships were observed between hip flexion and lumbar spine extension angles at toe-off when running at 6 and 9 km/h but not when running at 12 km/h. [Conclusion] To increase the running speed, participants increased the rotation angle of spine and the extension angles of the hip joint and lumbar spine during the stance phase. Participants extended the lumbar spine to compensate for the restricted hip motion at toe-off, which could cause stress to the lumbar spine.

Changes in thoracic and lumbar spinal motions during running in a female with scoliosis

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to analyze changes in thoracic and lumbar spinal motions during running in a female athlete with scoliosis. [Participant and Methods] A female with scoliosis who was a member of a college track team was recruited for this study. On 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging, angles between bodies of adjacent vertebrae in the frontal plane were calculated. We measured real-time spine movement while running using a three-dimensional motion analysis system, wherein the running speed was altered (6, 9, and 12 km/h). [Results] We observed a Cobb angle of 29.0° and the right convex curvature of the thoracolumbar spine on magnetic resonance imaging. As the running speed increased, during the right stance phase, the participant increased the lateral bending angle of the thoracic spine to the left and the lumbar spine to the right. However, during the left stance phase, the runner bent the thoracic spine to the right and the lumbar spine to the left, indicating a decreased convex curvature of the spine. [Conclusion] As the running speed increased, the convex curvature of the spine was corrected during the left stance phase but was uncorrected during the right stance phase.

Difference in kick motion of adolescent soccer players in presence and absence of low back pain

Many adolescent soccer players experience low back pain (LBP). However, there are no reports studying the kick motion of adolescent soccer players experiencing LBP. This study aimed to clarify the kick motion of adolescent soccer players in the presence and absence of LBP. We recruited 42 adolescent soccer players and divided them into two groups according to the presence of LBP (LBP group, n=22) and absence of LBP (NBP group, n=20). We measured real-time kick motion using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. We placed 65 spherical markers on each anatomical landmark and calculated the angle of the lumbar spine, center of mass (COM) of the whole body, and displacement of the support foot. We used an unpaired t-test to compare the data between the groups. Compared with the NBP group, the LBP group showed a lateral shift in COM, which increased the duration of kick motion. The presence of LBP affected the posterior positioning of the support foot and restricted the player's lumbar spine from bending laterally. A lateral shift in COM and larger rotation of the lumbar spine could stress the lumbar spine during kick motion. Therefore, coaches and athletic trainers should pay attention to soccer players' lumbar spine rotation and the COM shift during kick motion. This would be important for preventing LBP in adolescent soccer players.