The Young Athlete’s Spinal Mechanics

The young athlete who engages in exercise and sport has distinct health benefits. However, the dangers associated with participation in sports at a young age are high. Cupisti et al. [1] reported that 30 % of adolescents have experienced some form of back pain and this is a frequent complaint among young athletes, especially in girls. The spine, in the youth athlete, is still in the developmental process of fully maturing into the adult spine. The immature spinal muscles, ligaments, tendons, and fascia tissue may lag behind bone growth [2]. The young athlete’s musculoskeletal system may be at a disadvantage secondary to asymmetries and soft tissue developmental deficits. Although the young athlete’s spine is still developing, the musculoskeletal structures are required to perform complex spinal movement patterns that involve bending and twisting at high speeds during sporting activities. Injuries to the spine increase significantly from 12 to 17 years of age as a child undergoes rapid growth and development causing physiological changes as the anatomical structures evolve to skeletal maturity [3]. The purpose of this chapter is to present the biomechanics of the adolescent spine and describe how the articulations of the axial skeleton provide stability and movement in the youth athlete. A focus of emphasis is on development, functional anatomy, biomechanics, and kinematics as it relates to movements of the spine during sporting activities. An understanding of the normal anatomical architecture of the spine and its associated biomechanical properties is important for gaining an appreciation of pathomechanics and recognize abnormal movement patterns or postures caused by trauma, overuse, or developmental abnormalities. In addition, the interaction of the passive, active, and neural subsystems, as described by Panjabi, is introduced to conceptually illustrate the intricate stabilization system of the spine.