Altered squat movement pattern in patients with chronic low back pain

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Orthopedics
• Public Health

Background:

• Low back pain (LBP) is a widespread public health issue in developed countries.
• Squatting is a fundamental daily activity involving hip, knee, and ankle joint movement.
• Understanding lower limb function during squatting may provide insights into LBP.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze hip, knee, and ankle joint motion during squatting in individuals with and without LBP.
• To investigate the relationship between lower limb biomechanics during squatting and LBP incidence.

Main Methods:

• Eleven healthy subjects and eight LBP subjects participated.
• Participants performed deep squats with heel contact maintained.
• Kinematic data were collected using a Vicon optical motion capture system.

Main Results:

• The LBP group demonstrated a greater range of motion in the hip and knee compared to the control group.
• No significant difference in ankle dorsiflexion was observed between groups.
• The control group achieved maximal ankle dorsiflexion earlier in the descent than the LBP group.

Conclusions:

• Movement strategies during squatting differ between individuals with and without LBP.
• LBP subjects appear to rely more on hip and knee joint motion during maximal squats.
• Ankle motion and timing are crucial factors in the biomechanics of squatting for individuals with LBP.