title: A comparison of the thoracic spine in the sagittal plane between elite cyclists and non-athlete subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to evaluate and compare the angular disposition of the thoracic spine (at different postures) in elite cyclists and a group of individuals who do not exercise in a systematic manner.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty elite cyclists and sixty-eight sedentary individuals (control group), mean age: 21.91 (2.86) years participated in this study. Thoracic spine was measure with a Spinal Mouse® while relaxed standing, lying prone and sitting on the bicycle in three handlebar positions (upper, middle and lower handlebar).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean (SEM) thoracic kyphosis while standing was 48.17 (8.05°) and 42.68 (8.02°) in cyclists and control group, respectively (p< 0.001). The thoracic curve adopted in lying prone was 34.69 (8.28°) in cyclists and 30.96 (7.24°) in control group (p< 0.05). On the bicycle, cyclists showed lower thoracic kyphosis with respect to control group (p> 0.05). The thoracic spine was adopted more neutral in the posture sitting on bicycle than in relaxed standing, in both groups analyzed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The posture adopted in cycling is not the only result of the higher thoracic curvature in cyclists when standing. It is necessary to include spinal postural awareness in the training plan and thoracic muscle resistance exercises that favour more aligned postures while standing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Education, University of Almería, Almería, Spain. josemuyor@ual.es
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Muyor
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: López-Miñarro
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alacid
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*