title: Comparison of radiological spino-pelvic sagittal parameters in skiers and non-athletes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of the present study is to compare the radiological parameters of the spino-pelvic sagittal alignment in young elite skiers and non-athletes of a similar age.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample group (n = 102) consisted of elite Alpine and Mogul skiers (n = 75) and a non-athletic population (n = 27), mean age for both groups was 17.7 (±1.4) years (skiers mean age 18.3 SD 1.1 and controls 16.4 SD 0.6). Radiological measurements of the spino-pelvic sagittal alignment were examined from plain radiographs taken in the long-standing position.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences reported in the pelvic parameters between both groups. A difference was reported in the sagittal vertebral axis between skiers (8.0 cm SD 46.0) and the control group (-2.0 cm SD 39.0), which may be of clinical significance, in spite of being statistically non-significant. Type I spinal curves according to Roussouly were shown to be more prevalent in the skiers (18.2%) compared with the control group (0.0%) and were statistically significant (p = 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elite young skiers are shown to have a more prevalent type I spine and a different spino-pelvic sagittal alignment compared to a healthy non-sporting population of a similar age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. carl.todd@me.com.|The Carl Todd Clinic, 5 Pickwick Park, Park Lane, Corsham, SN13 0HN, UK. carl.todd@me.com.
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Institute of Clinical Sciences at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kovac
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Swärd
authors.affiliation: Sportsmedicine Åre and Åre Ski High School, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Agnvall
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Leif
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Swärd
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Karlsson
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Adad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baranto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010388:Pelvis / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012865:Skiing / Q000502:physiology*; D013121:Spinal Curvatures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013131:Spine / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult