Low back pain status affects pelvis-trunk coordination and variability during walking and running
Joseph F Seay1, Richard E A Van Emmerik, Joseph Hamill
1Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, MA, USA. joseph.seay@gmail.com
Clinical Biomechanics (Bristol, Avon)
|May 4, 2011
Summary
Even one episode of low back pain alters pelvis-trunk coordination during walking and running. These coordination changes may indicate increased injury risk and performance deficits, even after pain resolution.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human Movement Analysis
- Clinical Biomechanics
Background:
- Low back pain (LBP) is common in runners.
- Understanding altered movement patterns is crucial for injury prevention and rehabilitation.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the impact of LBP on pelvis-trunk coordination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare pelvis-trunk coordination and variability during walking and running across different LBP statuses.
- To investigate differences between runners with current LBP, recovered LBP, and no LBP history.
Main Methods:
- Collected 3D pelvis and trunk kinematic data on a treadmill at varying speeds.
- Quantified pelvis-trunk coordination using continuous relative phase (CRP).
- Assessed coordination variability as the standard deviation of CRP.
Main Results:
- Runners with LBP and recovered runners exhibited altered frontal plane coordination during walking compared to controls.
- Both LBP and recovered groups showed modified transverse plane coordination during running.
- The LBP group demonstrated reduced transverse plane coordination variability.
Conclusions:
- A continuum of altered coordination exists across groups with varying LBP history.
- Even a single LBP episode can lead to persistent changes in biomechanics.
- Rehabilitation should consider coordination deficits beyond pain resolution for optimal outcomes.
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