title: The effects of dorso-lumbar motion restriction on the ground reaction force components during running.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effects of restricting dorso-lumbar spine mobility on ground reaction forces in runners was measured and assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A semi-rigid cast was used to restrict spinal motion during running. Subjects ran across a force platform at 3.6 m/s, planting the right foot on the platform. Data was collected from ten running trials with the cast and ten without the cast and analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Casted running showed that the initial vertical heel strike maximum was increased (p < .02) and that the anterior-posterior deceleration impulse was increased (p < .01). The maximum vertical ground reaction force was decreased in casted running (p < .01), as was the anterior-posterior acceleration impulse (p < .02). There was a trend for increased medial-lateral impulse in the uncasted state, but this was not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spinal mobility and fascia contribute to load transfer between joints and body segments. Experimentally restricting spinal motion during running results in measurable and repeatable alterations in ground reaction force components. Alterations in load transfer due to decreased spinal motion may be a factor contributing to selected injuries in runners.
authors.affiliation: Clinic Internship Department, Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, USA. Electronic address: jmorley11@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Joseph J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Morley
authors.affiliation: Tempe, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Traum
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005205:Fascia / Q000502:physiology; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D013131:Spine / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Casting; Ground reaction force components; Spinal mobility restriction