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Lumbar range of motion in male heavy laborers on the Applied Rehabilitation Concepts (ARCON) system
D L Hasten1, R D Lea, F A Johnston
1Louisiana Orthopacdic and Sports Rehabilitation Institute, Baton Rouge, USA.
Study Design:
This study measured the lumbar range of motion of male heavy laborers with the Applied Rehabilitation Concepts computerized system (Applied Rehabilitation Concepts, Inc., Williamsburg, VA), which is based on standard dual inclinometry.
Objectives:
To examine differences in spinal mobility among male heavy laborers that may result from differences in age and levels of physical activity.
Summary Of Background Data:
Normal values for lumbar range of motion as given in the American Medical Association's criteria do not consider gender, age, or level of physical activity. The present study compared the lumbar mobility of men with a high level of occupational activity with previous findings in sedentary individuals. Changes in range of motion with increasing age are also documented.
Methods:
The lumbar ranges of motion of 193 male heavy laborers, ranging from 17 to 60 years or age, were examined. Motions examined were flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion, and right and left straight leg raising.
Results:
For most variables, there was a significant decrease in mobility with age. However, the age-related decrease in extension appeared to be less than that previously reported for sedentary subjects.
Conclusions:
This study indicates that age should play a part when assigning impairment ratings for lumbar range of motion. However, other than an attenuated decline in lumbar extension with increasing age, occupational workload did not appear to be a major factor in lumbar mobility.
