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Röhrl F, Federolf P, Mohr M. Ergonomic saddle design features influence lumbar spine motion and can reduce low back pain in mountain biking. Sports Biomech 2023:1-17. [PMID: 38126726 DOI: 10.1080/14763141.2023.2284173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Low back pain is common in mountain biking due to the sustained flexion of the lumbar spine, particularly during fatiguing hill climbs. In this study, we investigated whether an ergonomic mountain bike saddle including a raised rear, a longitudinal dip, and a subtle lateral instability (the 'Active'-technology) can reduce acute low back pain at the end of a hill climb (>1 h) in a group of mountain bikers with a history of cycling-related low back pain (n = 28). In addition, we conducted a laboratory experiment to investigate the isolated effects of the 'Active'-technology on the cyclists' pelvis and spine motion as well as on the activity of surrounding muscles. The field test demonstrated a significant reduction in numerical low back pain ratings with the experimental saddle compared to the riders' own standard saddle (p = 0.001, strong effect). The laboratory-based data suggested that the 'Active'-technology does lead to potentially beneficial effects on pelvis-spine kinematics and muscle activity, which in combination with an optimised saddle geometry may explain the observed reduction in low back pain following mountain bike hill climbing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Röhrl
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Peter Federolf
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Maurice Mohr
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Triantafyllou A, Papagiannis G, Stasi S, Gkrilias P, Kyriakidou M, Kampouroglou E, Skouras AZ, Tsolakis C, Georgoudis G, Savvidou O, Papagelopoulos P, Koulouvaris P. Lumbar Kinematics Assessment of Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain in Three Bridge Tests Using Miniaturized Sensors. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:bioengineering10030339. [PMID: 36978730 PMCID: PMC10044747 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10030339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Lumbar muscle atrophy, diminished strength, stamina, and increased fatigability have been associated with chronic nonspecific low back pain (LBP). When evaluating patients with LBP, trunk or core stability, provided by the performance and coordination of trunk muscles, appears to be essential. Several clinical tests have been developed to identify deficiencies in trunk performance, demonstrating high levels of validity and reproducibility. The most frequently prescribed tests for assessing the core body muscles are the prone plank bridge test (PBT), the side bridge test (SBT), and the supine bridge test (SUBT). However, quantitative assessments of the kinematics of the lumbar spine during their execution have not yet been conducted. The purpose of our study was to provide objective biomechanical data for the assessment of LBP patients. The lumbar spine ranges of motion of 22 healthy subjects (Group A) and 25 patients diagnosed with chronic LBP (Group B) were measured using two inertial measurement units during the execution of the PBT, SUBT, and SBT. Statistically significant differences between the two groups were found in all three tests' kinematic patterns. This quantitative assessment of lumbar spine motion transforms the three bridge tests into an objective biomechanical diagnostic tool for LPBs that may be used to assess the efficacy of applied rehabilitation programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios Triantafyllou
- Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Physiotherapy, University of the Peloponnese, 23100 Sparta, Greece
- Sports Excellence, 1st Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Papagiannis
- Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Physiotherapy, University of the Peloponnese, 23100 Sparta, Greece
- Sports Excellence, 1st Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Sophia Stasi
- Laboratory of Neuromuscular and Cardiovascular Study of Motion, Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Health and Care Science, University of West Attica, 12243 Egaleo, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Gkrilias
- Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Physiotherapy, University of the Peloponnese, 23100 Sparta, Greece
| | - Maria Kyriakidou
- Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Physiotherapy, University of the Peloponnese, 23100 Sparta, Greece
| | - Effrosyni Kampouroglou
- 2nd Department of Surgery, Aretaieio Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Apostolos-Zacharias Skouras
- Sports Excellence, 1st Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Charilaos Tsolakis
- Sports Excellence, 1st Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
- Sports Performance Laboratory, School of Physical Education & Sports Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 17237 Athens, Greece
| | - George Georgoudis
- Department of Physiotherapy, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece
| | - Olga Savvidou
- Sports Excellence, 1st Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Panayiotis Papagelopoulos
- Sports Excellence, 1st Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Koulouvaris
- Sports Excellence, 1st Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
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