Variability of lumbar spinal alignment among power- and weightlifters during the deadlift and barbell back squat

Ulrika Aasa,Victor Bengtsson,Lars Berglund,Fredrik Öhberg

doi:10.1080/14763141.2019.1675751

Ulrika Aasa, Victor Bengtsson + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2019.1675751

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Journal: Sports biomechanics	Publication Date: Nov 13, 2019
Citations: 16	License type: open-access

Affiliation: Umeå University

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aims of the study were to evaluate the relative and absolute variability of upper (T11-L2) and lower (L2-S2) lumbar spinal alignment in power- and weightlifters during the deadlift and back squat exercises, and to compare this alignment between the two lifting groups. Twenty-four competitive powerlifters (n = 14) and weightlifters (n = 10) performed three repetitions of the deadlift and the back squat exercises using a load equivalent to 70% of their respective one-repetition maximum. The main outcome measures were the three-dimensional lumbar spinal alignment for start position, minimum and maximum angle of their spinal alignment, and range of motion measured using inertial measurement units. Relative intra-trial reliability was calculated using the two-way random model intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and absolute reliability with minimal detectable change (MDC). The ICC ranged between 0.69 and 0.99 and the MDC between 1°-8° for the deadlift. Corresponding figures for the squat were 0.78–0.99 and 1°-6°. In all participants during both exercises, spinal adjustments were made in both thoracolumbar and lumbopelvic areas in all three dimensions. In conclusion, when performing three repetitions of the deadlift and the squat, lumbar spinal alignment of the lifters did not change much between repetitions and did not differ significantly between power- and weightlifters.

Highlights

Deviations from a neutral spinal alignment during performance of the barbell back squat, referred to as the squat, and deadlift strength training exercises could be a risk for future low back pain (Sjoberg, Aasa, Rosengren, & Berglund, 2018)
The smallest amount of difference in individual scores that represents a true change for range of motion (ROM) was 8° in the upper and 4° in the lower lumbar spinal areas
The three-dimension angles of the upper and lower lumbar spine during the deadlift for the Start position, Min angle and Max angle, and ROM are presented in Tables 5 and 6, respectively

Summary

Introduction

Deviations from a neutral spinal alignment during performance of the barbell back squat, referred to as the squat, and deadlift strength training exercises could be a risk for future low back pain (Sjoberg, Aasa, Rosengren, & Berglund, 2018). Since the interest of strength sports is growing worldwide, and injuries in the low back are common in powerlifters (Stromback, Aasa, Gilenstam, & Berglund, 2018) and are becoming more common in weightlifters (Burekhovich et al, 2018), physiotherapists often treat patients whose pain is associated with either performance of the squat or the deadlift. Either of these directions is found, the functional impairments causing it are targeted in the rehabilitation Excessive movements in these planes are considered contraindicated for a number of other reasons, not least the correlation between spinal alignment and degenerative changes. It has been suggested that axial twisting in combination with repetitive flexion-extension motion might predispose joint diseases such as vertebral stress fractures (Leone, Cianfoni, Cerase, Magarelli, & Bonomo, 2011) as well as bulging of the lumbar discs and herniation (Marshall & McGill, 2010)

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