ABSTRACT
Aim: The hormonal, physiological and anatomical changes throughout pregnancy affect the musculoskeletal system that lead to postural instability which may impair their lifestyles and increased risk of collapses. This study was aimed to assess postural balance in females during the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Study Design: A case control study. Place and Duration of Study: Biomechanics lab. IN Faculty of Physical Education at Kafrelsheikh University, between February and July 2015. Methodology: In this study, postural stability throughout the second and third trimester was measured using the Biodex Balance System (BBS) in 14 pregnant females (age range 25-30 years). The overall (OA), anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) stability index scores were obtained at level 8 and 7. Results: The mean OA, AP and ML scores were significantly higher in the third trimester compared to second trimester (P <.05). There was no significant difference in the ML between the stability level 8 and 7 (P >.05) during the second or third trimester. Conclusion: Pregnant females have poor postural stability as well as decreased postural equilibrium in the third trimester compared with the second trimester of pregnancy.
ABSTRACT
Aim: To determine the relationship between mechanical low back pain and lumber curvature angle among bank worker computer users. Material and methods: 30 male bank worker computer users were working for continuous 4-hours at least/day, five days/week, selected randomly from National Bank of Egypt, kafrelshiekh governorate, Egypt. They divided into 2 equal groups (A and B). Male in group (A) were suffering from low back pain (LBP) within the last 6 month; male in group (B) were free from LBP. Their age was ranged from 25 to 30 years. Their body mass index was less 30 Kg/m. Lumbar curvature angle and pain intensity were measured by using the flexible ruler and visual analog scale for each participants in both groups (A and B). Results: There were significant differences in participant’s low back pain intensity (P = 0.001) and lumbar curvature angle (P = 0.001) between both groups. There was a statistically significant correlation between the pain intensity in lower back and lumbar curvature angle (P=0.001) between both groups. There was a statistically significant correlation between the pain intensity in lower back and lumbar curvature angle in both group ( A and B) (r = 0.463 and 0.37 respectively), as the pain intensity increased by increased lumber curvatuer angle. Conclusions: The bank worker computer users were more exposed to low back pain due to flattening of lumbar curve.