Lumbar range of motion in male heavy laborers on the Applied Rehabilitation Concepts (ARCON) system.
METHODS
This study measured the lumbar range of motion of male heavy laborers with the Applied Rehabilitation Concepts computerized system (Applied Rehabilitation Concepts, Inc., Williamsburg, VA), which is based on standard dual inclinometry.


OBJECTIVE
To examine differences in spinal mobility among male heavy laborers that may result from differences in age and levels of physical activity.


BACKGROUND
Normal values for lumbar range of motion as given in the American Medical Association's criteria do not consider gender, age, or level of physical activity. The present study compared the lumbar mobility of men with a high level of occupational activity with previous findings in sedentary individuals. Changes in range of motion with increasing age are also documented.


METHODS
The lumbar ranges of motion of 193 male heavy laborers, ranging from 17 to 60 years or age, were examined. Motions examined were flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion, and right and left straight leg raising.


RESULTS
For most variables, there was a significant decrease in mobility with age. However, the age-related decrease in extension appeared to be less than that previously reported for sedentary subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that age should play a part when assigning impairment ratings for lumbar range of motion. However, other than an attenuated decline in lumbar extension with increasing age, occupational workload did not appear to be a major factor in lumbar mobility.
Louisiana Orthopacdic and Sports Rehabilitation Institute, Baton Rouge, USA.
D L
DL
Hasten
R D
RD
Lea
F A
FA
Johnston
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D017770:Lifting / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*