A Comparative Study of Lumbar Range of Movement in Healthy Athletes and Non-athletes

OBJECTIVE To compare the amplitude of trunk flexion and extension through goniometry among athletes and non-athletes and to correlate these data with the popliteal angle and hamstring muscle tests. METHODS The amplitude of trunk flexion and extension was evaluated in 50 individuals who practiced sports on a regular basis and 50 non-athletes who did not present any painful lumber symptoms or any symptoms that could affect test performance. The measurements were made consecutively by two independent examiners by means of goniometry. The trunk flexion and extension values from the goniometry evaluation were correlated with the popliteal angle and hamstring flexibility tests, and the statistical correlation between them was analyzed. RESULTS The mean values obtained were 130.7 (101.9) for flexion and 40.2 (36.4) for extension. Statistically significant differences between the athletes and non-athletes were found in relation to the following parameters: goniometer in flexion with examiner 1, goniometer in flexion with examiner 2 and hamstring test. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in relation to the following parameters: goniometer in extension with examiner 1, goniometer in extension with examiner 2 and popliteal angle test. CONCLUSION Individuals who practiced sports presented higher trunk flexion values. The use of goniometry to measure trunk amplitude showed variations in measurements between the examiners.