The Effects Of Back Strength And Angle Of Lordosis On The Lumbar Region

Abstract

One area of the body used intensively in dance is the lumbar spine and the muscles of the lower back. Dancers tend to increase their turn-out although some have structural problem, insufficient external rotation of the hip joint. Forced turnout can strain the soft tissues surrounding the hip and place stress on lumbar region. It will be compensated by increased lumbar lordosis and weak back muscle, predisposing a dancer to lumbar stresses and repetitive minor trauma. It can concluded that increasing lumbar extensor strength and stabilize the pelvic may help reduce lower back problems among dancers. PURPOSE This study was carried out to determine the back strengthen and lordosis for dancers had back pain experience when compared to dancers had no experience of back pain. METHODS Nine female(age: 23±2 years) dancers who have low back pain were evaluated for isometric lumbar extension strength and angle of lordosis. Measurements were compared with healthy twenty nine female(age: 21±2 years) dancers. Maximum voluntary isometric strength was measured during attempted lumbar extension in MedX lumbar extension machine. Angle of lordosis was measured by standing position and standing with hip external rotation (turn out). Data ware analyzed for means, standard deviation, T-test and correlation by using the SPSS 11.0. RESULTS No difference was found in muscle strength between the two groups (p <0.05). There is no significant correlation between muscle strength and lordosis. Deviation of lordosis (Standing to turn-out) were arranged between 39.6 to 41.8 in back pain group and 35.9 to 39.9 in normal group. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates weak back strength for dancers in both groups and refer to emphasize only stretch rather than strength. Although the results can not find correlation of strength and angle of lordosis, it prove the importance of the back strengthening program as well as stretching program. Increasing lumbar extensor strength may help reduce lower back problems among dancers.