title: The effects of an exercise with a stick on the lumbar spine and hip movement patterns during forward bending in patients with lumbar flexion syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Forward bending is frequently performed in daily activities. However, excessive lumbar flexion during forward bending has been reported as a risk factor for low back pain. Therefore, we examined the effects of an exercise strategy using a stick on the angular displacement and movement onset of lumbar and hip flexion during forward-bending exercises in patients with lumbar flexion syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen volunteers with lumbar flexion syndrome were recruited in this study. Subjects performed forward-bending exercises with and without a straight stick in standing. The angular displacement and movement onset of lumbar and hip flexion during forward-bending exercises were measured by using a three dimensional motion analysis system. The significances of differences between the two conditions (with stick vs. without stick) was assessed using a one-way repeated analysis of variance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When using a stick during a forward-bending exercise, the peak angular displacement of lumbar flexion decreased significantly, and those of right and left-hip flexion increased significantly compared with those without a stick. The movement onset of lumbar flexion occurred significantly later, and the onset of right-hip flexion occurred significantly earlier with than without a stick.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on these findings, a stick exercise was an effective method to prevent excessive lumbar flexion and more helpful in developing hip flexion during a forward-bending exercise. These findings will be useful for clinicians to teach self-exercise during forward bending in patients with lumbar flexion syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Motion Analysis Laboratory, Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-yeon
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Nambu University, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji-won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Science, Graduate School, Inje University, Gimhae, Korea.
authors.forename: Min-hyeok
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inje University, Gimhae, Korea.
authors.forename: Duk-hyun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: An
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inje University, Gimhae, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-seop
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Oh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013577:Syndrome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Stick exercise; forward bending; lumbar flexion syndrome; movement impairment syndrome