Affiliations: [a] Institute of Physiotherapy, University of Rzeszów, Poland | [b] Faculty of Rehabilitation, Józef Pi{l}sudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Aleksandra Truszczyńska, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Józef Piƚsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Marymoncka St. 34, 00-968 Warsaw, Poland. Tel./Fax: +22 834 17 77; E-mail:aleksandra.rapala@wp.pl
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Decrease of physiological curvatures of the spine can
lead to back pain. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the curvatures of
the spine and body posture parameters in three positions: relaxed standing,
relaxed sitting, corrected sitting. METHODS: The study included 40 healthy persons aged 18-32 years
(mean 24.7 ± 2.3), with body height 152-195 cm (mean 171.8 ± 9.3),
weight 47-115 kg (mean 66.4 ± 13.7), BMI 17.9-32.5 kg/m2 (mean
22.3 ± 3.0). The study was performed using the photogrammetric method. RESULTS: After changing the position from relaxed standing to
relaxed sitting, significant decrease of the inclination of the
thoracolumbar region, the thoracic kyphosis depth and the lumbar lordosis
depth were observed. Lumbar lordosis angle increased significantly. After
the sitting position correction, the inclination of the upper thoracic and
thoracolumbar region decreased, and the depth of thoracic kyphosis and
lumbar lordosis increased. CONCLUSIONS: - In the relaxed sitting position, the lumbar lordosis was significantly
smaller than in the standing position. - A change from the standing to the sitting position results in flattening
of thoracic kyphosis. - The corrected sitting position does not adequately correct the spinal
curvatures.
