Does the presence of a vertical barrier influence sagittal spinal curvature or range of motion in young females?
OBJECTIVE
Lifting presents a significant risk for the development of low back pain. It is not known what effect lifting from a supermarket shopping trolley has on sagittal spinal curvature. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of lifting from a shopping trolley on sagittal spinal curvature.


METHODS
Fifteen female subjects (height 1.67 ± 0.04 m, weight 64.3 ± 5.0 kg) completed lifts of 9 kg from a shopping trolley and a surface matched for height whilst sagittal spinal curvature was measured using Qualysis motion analysis system. Seven retro-reflective markers were placed along spine with angle between three markers representing regional curvature. No constraints on lifting technique were instigated.


RESULTS
Results demonstrate no difference in sagittal range of motion or spinal curvature across the two lifts. A small but significant difference in knee flexion angle was observed. These results demonstrate that the chosen lifting strategy was not influenced by the constraint imposed by the shopping trolley. Furthermore the function of knee flexion did not result in change in sagittal curvature during the lifts.


CONCLUSIONS
Lifting from a shopping trolley has no effect of sagittal spinal curvature.
School of Health and Social Care, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, Dorset, UK.
Jonathan M
JM
Williams
Institute of Medical Engineering and Medical Physics, School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
Peter S
PS
Theobald
Institute of Medical Engineering and Medical Physics, School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
Michael D
MD
Jones
D000293:Adolescent; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017770:Lifting; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D013131:Spine / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
Lifting; curvature; range of motion; shopping trolley; spine