Affiliations: [a] University of Kuopio, Institute of
Biomedicine/Ergonomics, Kuopio, Finland | [b] University of Jyväskylä, Department of
Health Sciences, Jyväskylä, Finland
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Annina Ropponen, University of
Kuopio, Institute of Biomedicine/Ergonomics, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio,
Finland. Tel.: +358 17 163111; Fax: +358 17 163112; E-mail:
annina.ropponen@uku.fi
Abstract: Objective: To compare the associations between different physical
activity histories and anthropometric measures in isokinetic lifting
performance, isometric back extension endurance and psychophysical lifting
tests. Background: The relative roles and interaction of these factors
related to back function are largely unknown. Methods: The subjects consisted of a population-based sample of 210
working-age males. Paraspinal muscle cross-sectional areas were obtained by
magnetic resonance imaging; anthropometric measures, isokinetic and
psychophysical lifting capacity, and isometric back extension endurance tests
were performed and current and physical activity histories and occupational
loading were enquired by structured interview. Stepwise multiple regression
analyses were used to study the associations. Results: Lean body weight, body weight and sum of the paraspinal
muscle CSAs at L3-L4 level predicted the highest amount of the variance
(R^2=10–25%) and the different models of
anthropometric measures and physical activity 7–33% of the variance in the
back function tests. Conclusions: The models of physical activity and anthropometric
measures or their combination predicted isokinetic lifting performances weakly
and other back function test results even worse. As a single predictive factor,
lean body weight showed weak ability to predict isokinetic lifting
performances. Collecting current or past data of physical activity parameters
does not add anything for predicting back function.
Keywords: Anthropometrics, body weight, lean body weight, isokinetic lifting force, back function, muscle cross-sectional area, physical activity
