Gender-based Variations in Trunk Motion and Isometric Strength in Young Adults with Low Back Pain: A Prospective Case-control Study.

Objective To determine gender-based variations in trunk range of motion (RoM) and isometric strength (IS) in symptomatic and asymptomatic young adults. Methods In this prospective case-control study, 73 subjects with low back pain (LBP) and 80 asymptomatic subjects were analyzed. Dynamometer-based device trunk RoM and IS measurements in extension, flexion, and rotation were compared in both groups and gender-based subgroups. Multivariate analysis was used to determine factors influencing trunk RoM and IS. Results Symptomatic males had significantly less extension RoM and extension, flexion, and rotation isometric trunk strength (ITS) ( p < 0.0001) compared with asymptomatic males, whereas no significant difference was found between asymptomatic and symptomatic females. However, the mean extension-flexion RoM and mean extension-flexion ITS ratios were significantly lower ( p = 0.04) in asymptomatic females compared with symptomatic females. Female gender was significantly associated with less extension and flexion ITS in both asymptomatic and symptomatic subjects. Conclusion Males with LBP had significant global ITS weakness when compared with asymptomatic males. Despite no significant ITS difference in symptomatic versus asymptomatic females, LBP caused significant extension-flexion RoM and ITS imbalance in females. These gender-based variations in trunk RoM and IS, especially the extensor-flexor IS imbalance in females, must be considered while designing rehabilitation treatment protocols for LBP.

Gender-based Variations in Trunk Motion and Isometric Strength in Young Adults with Low Back Pain: A Prospective Case-control Study / Variações baseadas em gênero no movimento e na força isométrica do tronco em jovens adultos com dor lombar: Um estudo de caso-controle prospectivo

Abstract Objective To determine gender-based variations in trunk range of motion (RoM) and isometric strength (IS) in symptomatic and asymptomatic young adults. Methods In this prospective case-control study, 73 subjects with low back pain (LBP) and 80 asymptomatic subjects were analyzed. Dynamometer-based device trunk RoM and IS measurements in extension, flexion, and rotation were compared in both groups and gender-based subgroups. Multivariate analysis was used to determine factors influencing trunk RoM and IS. Results Symptomatic males had significantly less extension RoM and extension, flexion, and rotation isometric trunk strength (ITS) (p < 0.0001) compared with asymptomatic males, whereas no significant difference was found between asymptomatic and symptomatic females. However, the mean extension-flexion RoM and mean extension-flexion ITS ratios were significantly lower (p = 0.04) in asymptomatic females compared with symptomatic females. Female gender was significantly associated with less extension and flexion ITS in both asymptomatic and symptomatic subjects. Conclusion Males with LBP had significant global ITS weakness when compared with asymptomatic males. Despite no significant ITS difference in symptomatic versus asymptomatic females, LBP caused significant extension-flexion RoM and ITS imbalance in females. These gender-based variations in trunk RoM and IS, especially the extensor-flexor IS imbalance in females, must be considered while designing rehabilitation treatment protocols for LBP.

Resumo Objetivo Determinar as variações na amplitude de movimento (ADM) do tronco e na força isométrica do tronco (FIT) em jovens adultos sintomáticos e assintomáticos baseadas no gênero dos indivíduos. Métodos Neste estudo caso-controle prospectivo, 73 indivíduos com dor lombar (DL) e 80 indivíduos assintomáticos foram analisados. As medidas de ADM do tronco e FIT de extensão, flexão e rotação foram comparadas em ambos os grupos e em subgrupos organizados por gênero. A análise multivariada foi usada para determinar os fatores que influenciam a ADM do tronco e a FIT. Results Symptomatic males had significantly less extension RoM and extension, flexion, and rotation isometric trunk strength (ITS) (p < 0.0001) compared with asymptomatic males, whereas no significant difference was found between asymptomatic and symptomatic females. However, the mean extension-flexion RoM and mean extension-flexion ITS ratios were significantly lower (p = 0.04) in asymptomatic females compared with symptomatic females. Female gender was significantly associated with less extension and flexion ITS in both asymptomatic and symptomatic subjects. Conclusão Indivíduos do sexo masculino com DL apresentaram significativa fraqueza global relacionada à FIT quando comparados com indivíduos do sexo masculino assintomáticos. Apesar de não haver diferença significativa de FIT em indivíduos do sexo feminino sintomáticos versus assintomáticos, a DL impactou a ADM e a FIT de extensão-flexão em indivíduos do sexo feminino. Essas variações de ADM do tronco e FIT baseadas no sexo, especialmente o desequilíbrio extensor-flexor de força isométrica em indivíduos do sexo feminino, devem ser consideradas ao projetar-se protocolos de tratamento de reabilitação para lombalgia.

Normative Reference Values for Trunk Range of Motion and Isometric Muscle Strength in Asymptomatic Young Indian Adults.

PURPOSE: To determine normative reference values for trunk range of motion (ROM) and isometric strength (TIS) in asymptomatic young, Indian adults. METHODS: Age, gender, body mass index, lifestyle, and dynamometer-based device measurements of trunk ROM and TIS in extension (EXT), flexion (FLX), and rotation (ROT) were recorded and analysed in 80 asymptomatic subjects between 20 and 40 years of age. Correlation analysis was performed to determine factors influencing EXT and FLX ROM and TIS. RESULTS: The normative reference values for mean trunk EXT, FLX, right ROT, and left ROT ROM were 23° (95th percentile 31.9°), 40.2°(95th percentile 51.5°), 36.8°(95th percentile 57.7°), and 35.4° (95th percentile 55.7°), respectively; and for mean EXT, FLX, right ROT, and left ROT TIS were 118.1 Nm (95th percentile 278.8 Nm), 63.8 Nm (95th percentile 159.4 Nm), 39.9 Nm (95th percentile 113.6 Nm), and 42.8 Nm (95th percentile 108.9 Nm), respectively. The mean EXT (p = 0.0002), right (p = 0.02), and left ROT ROM (p = 0.01), and the mean EXT, FLX, and ROT TIS (p < 0.0001) were significantly greater in males compared to females. The FLX, EXT, and ROT TIS showed significant strong correlation with EXT and FLX TIS. Mean TIS values in Indian subjects were lower when compared to subjects from other countries. CONCLUSION: This study established normative reference values for trunk ROM and TIS in asymptomatic young Indian adults. These reference values can be helpful to diagnose trunk ROM and TIS deficits, identify subjects at risk for LBP and disability, and individualise rehabilitation treatment in them.