Comparison of posture in elite female taekwondo players and non-athletes

Specificity of physical exercises is one of the main factors which could affect musculoskeletal system. The purpose of this research is to make a comparison about postural abnormalities of the spine and lower limbs between female taekwondo athletes and non-athletes. Samples of current research were 50 female black-belt taekwondo athletes and 50 non-athletes. To measure kyphosis and lordosis, flexible ruler was used; also to determine the angle of forward head posture and scoliosis, photogrammetry was used, and to determine knee and foot deformities caliper and navicular drop methods were used respectively. To compare two groups, independent t test was used. The results of independent t test showed that amount of lumbar lordosis (47.90°) in taekwondo athletes is significantly higher than that of non-athletes (44.04°). Also amount of scoliosis (3.52°) in taekwondo athletes was significantly higher than that of non-athletes. Also distance of internal condyle )3/26 CM) of taekwondo athletes was significantly higher than that of non-athletes)1/91 CM)(P≤0.05). But no significant difference was observed between two groups in terms of forward head posture, kyphosis, distance of internal malleolus, and navicular drop. Based on the results of this research it is possible to express that taekwondo due to type of its common exercises and could have impact on posture of its athletes.