A new, comprehensive normative database of lumbar spine ranges of motion.
OBJECTIVE
To generate gender-specific and broadly based age-related indices for normative lumbar ranges of motion for all planes of movement.


METHODS
This was a repeated measures prospective study of spinal range of motion in a sample of volunteer subjects utilizing a portable modified CA6000 Spine Motion Analyzer (Orthopedic Systems Inc., Union City, CA, USA).


METHODS
Data collection was carried out in a variety of community locations including fire, police and ambulance stations, offices and community centres.


METHODS
A total of 405 asymptomatic subjects (196 female, 209 male) were recruited, aged 16-90 years, from sedentary, mixed and physically demanding occupations.


METHODS
Indices of lumbar spine ranges of motion were measured in standing following a standardized protocol for sagittal flexion/extension, coronal lateral flexion and horizontal axial rotation movements.


RESULTS
Male and female normative flexion ranges declined by approximately 40% (72-40 degrees) across the age spectrum. Extension declined the greatest, by approximately 76% (29-6 degrees) overall. In lateral flexion male and female ranges declined approximately 43% (29-15 degrees) in each direction (total 58-30 degrees). In axial rotation no age-related decline was observed and ranges of motion remained at approximately 7 degrees in each direction (total 14 degrees) across all the ages of the subject group.


CONCLUSIONS
Data have been generated that provide comprehensive, gender-specific, broadly based and age-related indices for normative lumbar ranges of motion in all planes of movement. These are applicable to individuals throughout adult life, from adolescence through to old age.
Troke
M
M
Department of Rehabilitation Studies, School of Health Care, Oxford Brookes University, UK. mtroke@brookes.ac.uk
Moore
A P
AP
Maillardet
F J
FJ
Hough
A
A
Cheek
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002138:Calibration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009983:Orthopedic Equipment; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014481:United States