Landing Stiffness Between Individuals With and Without a History of Low Back Pain.

Abstract

Reduced spinal stabilization, delayed onset of muscle activation, and increased knee joint stiffness have been reported in individuals with a history of low back pain (LBP). Biomechanical adaptations resulting from LBP may increase the risk for future injury due to suboptimal loading of the lower-extremity or lumbar spine. Assessing landing mechanics in these individuals could help identify which structures might be susceptible to future injury. To compare vertical and joint stiffness of the lower-extremity and lumbar spine between individuals with and without a previous history of LBP. Cross-sectional study. Research laboratory. There were 45 participants (24 without a previous history of LBP-age 23 [8]y, height 169.0 [8.5]cm, mass 69.8 [13.8]kg; 21 with a previous history of LBP-age 25[9]y, height 170.0 [8.0]cm, mass 70.2 [11.8]kg). Single-limb landing trials on the dominant and nondominant limb from a 30-cm box. Vertical stiffness and joint stiffness of the ankle, knee, hip, and lumbar spine. Individuals with a previous history of LBP had lower vertical stiffness (P = .04), but not joint stiffness measures compared with those without a previous history of LBP (P > .05). Overall females had lower vertical (P = .01), ankle (P = .02), and hip stiffness (P = .04) compared with males among all participants. Males with a previous history of LBP had lower vertical stiffness compared with males without a previous history LBP (P = .01). Among all individuals without a previous history of LBP, females had lower vertical (P < .01) and ankle stiffness measures (P = .04) compared with males. Landing stiffness may differ among males and females and a previous history of LBP. Comparisons between individuals with and without previous LBP should be considered when assessing landing strategies, and future research should focus on how LBP impacts landing mechanics.