Preliminary investigation into a seated unloading movement strategy for the lumbar spine: a pilot study.
This study was a preliminary investigation into a seated unloading movement strategy for the lumbar spine using the upper extremities. With the economic burden of LBP estimated in the billions worldwide, and also with a trend towards more jobs related to sitting, a simple distraction exercise coined chair-care is presented. An attempt to objectify using stadiometry was used to measure standing height changes after 15 min of sitting and after the exercise. The results showed significant standing height gains post-exercise when compared to post-sitting and initial standing (2.4 and 2.7 mm, respectively). No significant standing height changes were seen after 15 min of sitting. It is therefore likely that this simple seated exercise creates standing height gains of the spine. Proposed mechanisms are discussed with an emphasis on spinal hydraulics and intervertebral disc nutrition. Reproducible studies are required.
University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC, Canada V2N 4Z9. drfryer@shaw.ca
Jerome
J
Fryer
William
W
Zhang
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015915:Motion Therapy, Continuous Passive; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011187:Posture; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult