title: Lumbar spinal mobility changes among adults with advancing age.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Limitations in spinal mobility can interfere with the attainment of important functional skills and activities of daily living and restrictions in spinal mobility are usually the earliest and reliable indicator of diseases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the differences of lumbar spinal mobility among healthy adults with advancing age.
  
  
  METHODS
  The modified Schober's method was used to measure anterior flexion. The guideline of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons was adapted to measure lateral flexion and extension.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of this study indicate that spinal mobility decreases with advancing age. The most significant (P < 0.05) differences occurred between the two youngest and the two oldest age categories.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using these data, we developed normative values of spinal mobility for each sex and age group. This study helps the clinicians to understand and correlate the restrictions of lumbar spinal mobility due to age and differentiate the limitations due to disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ismaila Adamu
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Saidu
authors.forename: Stanley Monday
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Maduagwu
authors.forename: Abdullahi Digil
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Abbas
authors.forename: Omotayo O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Adetunji
authors.forename: Abdurahman Mohammed
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Jajere