The Effect of Dynamic Lumbar Kyphosis on the Biomechanical Factors of the Lumbar Joints during Deep Squats

Abstract

PURPOSE This study analyzed the effect of dynamic lumbar kyphosis on the biomechnical factors affecting the lumbar joints during deep squats.METHODS Thirty adults in their 20s who had experienced weight training for more than one year participated in this study (age: 23.4±3.5years old, height: 175.3±4.3cm, weight: 75.8±6.5kg, squat single repetition maximum (1RM) weight: 115.3±19.5kg). Under both restricted dynamic lumbar kyphosis (RDLK) and dynamic lumbar kyphosis (DLK), subjects completed one repetition of deep squats at a load of 70% of their 1-RM weight. To verify the consistency of deep squat movements performed under DLK and RDLK conditions, intra-rater reliability was analyzed using intra-class correlation . The biomechnical variables of the lumbar joint were calculated during DLK and RDLK deep squats. Paired sample t-tests (IBM SPSS 27.0, Armonk, New York, USA) were used for statistical verification.RESULTS During the deep squat movement performed in DLK and RDLK conditions, the peak angles of the ankle, knee, and hip joints, the minimum height of the pelvis, and the time and tempo showed statistically high reliability, confirming the accuracy of the movement. The peak flexion angle and moment, left flexion moment, left rotation moment, and compression force factors of the lumbar joint during deep squat were significantly lower in RDLK than in DLK.CONCLUSIONS Restricting lumbar dynamic kyphosis during deep squats is essential for decreasing the risk of lumbar joint injury.