Análise da musculatura estabilizadora lombopélvica em jovens com e sem dor lombar

Trunk muscle function and pelvic alignment associated with the presence of pain in higher education students: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Introduction: The protective role of muscles in the passive structures of the spine means that their stability and consequent maintenance are associated with pain, especially in the region of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex. Objective: To determine the prevalence of pain and its association with muscle deficits in higher education students. Method: Descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study that evaluated 120 university students through questionnaires (sample characterization, Nordic musculoskeletal symptoms, pain visual analogue scale and international physical activity). Trunk muscle strength and bridge tests with unilateral knee extension (pelvic alignment) were performed. Results: A high prevalence of pain was found in the lower back (58.41%). There was no association between the presence of pain, muscle strength and pelvic alignment (p> 0.05). There was an association between the trunk extension and pelvic tilt tests (p = 0.009). Conclusion: A high prevalence of low back pain, poor performance in the trunk muscle endurance tests and mild and moderate pelvic misalignment were identified. There was no association between pain, trunk muscle weakness and pelvic misalignment. There was an association between pelvic misalignment and trunk extensor muscle weakness.

Posterior chain flexibility and lower back pain in farm workers

Abstract Introduction: Flexibility is an essential component of physical aptitude that reduces the incidence of muscle distention and improves movement efficiency and posture. Objective: To analyze posterior chain flexibility and lower back pain (LBP) in farm workers from a city in western Santa Catarina state, Brazil. Methods: Quantitative and cross-sectional study conducted with 185 rural workers, average age of 44.24 (±10.83) years. The Rural Worker Health Questionnaire, containing individual issues related to work; sit and reach box, goniometer, visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry and Roland-Morris questionnaires were used to evaluate posterior chain flexibility, hamstring muscle length, pain and lumbar spine dysfunction, respectively. Flexibility was compared with the degree of dysfunction using one-way ANOVA followed by the Bonferroni post hoc test. Results: 181 (97.8%) workers reported LBP symptoms: 100% of the women and 95.2% of the men. The average Oswestry score was 7.09 (±8.25), Roland-Morris 1.22 (±1.63), and VAS 5.81 (±2.5). Average flexibility by the sit and reach test (SRT) was 23.91cm (±18.81); straight leg raise (SLR), 66° (±11.77) and popliteal angle 123.21° (±12.45). There was a significant difference in the popliteal angle (p = 0.003) and SLR (0.001) when compared with the degree of dysfunction. Women showed significant differences in all tests; however, the post hoc test showed a significant difference only in the SRT (p = 0.013), and women with minimal dysfunction had greater flexibility in relation to those with severe dysfunction. Conclusion: Self-reported LBP was severe and women with higher levels of dysfunction exhibited less posterior chain flexibility.

Relation between performance in side bridge and injuries in amateur soccer

AbstractIntroduction Central instability is associated with insufficient endurance and strength of the stabilizer muscles, and it can lead to muscle imbalance and injuries.Objective Relate side bridge performance with the presence of injuries in amateur soccer athletes.Materials and methods A cross-sectional study with a sample of 188 male athletes, aged between 11 and 17 years. To identify the injuries, a questionnaire developed by researchers was applied and the players’ clinical records were reviewed. The time of the side bridge test was used to identify muscle imbalance. For statistical analysis, the following tests were used: chi-square test; Pearson’s chi-square test; Fisher’s exact test; Yates’s correction for continuity; two-way ANOVA; one-way ANOVA; and t-test. The significance level (α) of 5% was adopted.Results Injuries were reported by 59.6% of the athletes: sprain (31.3%); muscle strain (28.6%) and fracture; luxation and subluxation (19.6%) were the most frequently reported injuries. Athletes that reported any injury corresponded to 73.2% of the sample. The presence of injuries was not associated with muscle imbalance (p = 0.565), as it prevailed in athletes with both balance (64%) and imbalance (58%). Injury type and prevalence were not significant when compared with the presence of imbalance (p > 0.05).Final considerations No significant relation between muscle imbalance and injury was observed in the studied sample.