title: Comparing lower lumbar kinematics in cyclists with low back pain (flexion pattern) versus asymptomatic controls--field study using a wireless posture monitoring system.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine lower lumbar kinematics in cyclists with and without non-specific chronic low back pain (NS-CLBP) during a cross-sectional cycling field study. Although LBP is a common problem among cyclists, studies investigating the causes of LBP during cycling are scarce and are mainly focussed on geometric bike-related variables. Until now no cycling field studies have investigated the relationship between maladaptive lumbar kinematics and LBP during cycling. Eight cyclists with NS-CLBP classified as having a 'Flexion Pattern' (FP) disorder and nine age- and gender-matched asymptomatic cyclists were tested. Subjects performed a 2 h outdoor cycling task on their personal race bike. Lower lumbar kinematics was measured with the BodyGuard™ monitoring system. Pain intensity during and after cycling was measured using a numerical pain rating scale. The NS-CLBP (FP) subjects were significantly more flexed at the lower lumbar spine during cycling compared to healthy controls (p = 0.018), and reported a significant increase in pain over the 2 h of cycling (p < 0.001). One-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant main effect for group (p = 0.035, F = 5.546) which remained just significant when adding saddle angle as a covariate (p = 0.05, F = 4.747). The difference in posture between groups did not change over time. These findings suggest that a subgroup of cyclists with NS-CLBP (FP) demonstrate an underlying maladaptive motor control pattern resulting in greater lower lumbar flexion during cycling which is related to a significant increase in pain.
authors.affiliation: Musculoskeletal Research Unit, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium. wannes.vanhoof@faber.kuleuven.be
authors.forename: Wannes
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Van Hoof
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Volkaerts
authors.forename: Kieran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Verschueren
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dankaerts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001642:Bicycling / Q000502:physiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D059015:Wireless Technology / Q000295:instrumentation; D055815:Young Adult