| MOVEMENT CONTROL CHARACTERISTICS IN FEMALE LOW BACK PAIN DEVELOPERS DURING A FUNCTIONAL SIT-TO-STAND-TO-SIT TASK |
| Paper ID : 1580-SPORTCONGRESS |
| Authors |
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Sarvin Aslani, Foad Seidi *, Peyman Aghaiee, Fatemeh Khoshroo Department of Sport Medicine and Modern Technologies, Faculty of Sport Science and Health, University of Tehran |
| Abstract |
| Introduction: Prolonged occupational standing is associated with low-back pain, and experimental models show that only a subset of individuals, known as pain developers, experience transient symptoms during sustained standing. Detecting subtle alterations in lumbopelvic rhythm and angular-velocity patterns during functional tasks may help identify early movement characteristics that predispose individuals to chronic low-back pain. Therefore, this study aimed to quantify these kinematic parameters to determine potential biomarkers for early detection and targeted prevention. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 40 participants (20 LBPD, 20 NLBPD) matched for demographic characteristics were classified using a standardized prolonged standing test and visual pain index. Kinematic data were collected using a 45-marker motion capture system during three trials of sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit tasks. Data processing in MATLAB extracted key variables including lumbar-to-hip movement ratio and angular velocity parameters. Statistical analyses employed independent t-tests and Mann-Whitney U tests with significance set at p<0.05. Results: Analysis revealed no significant differences in lumbar-to-hip ratio during standing across all quartiles. However, the sitting phase demonstrated a significant between-group difference specifically in the second quartile (26-50%; p=0.007). Angular velocity analysis showed significant differences only in minimum upper thoracic/pelvic velocity during sitting (p=0.046), while all other parameters remained comparable between groups. Conclusion: This study showed that overall movement patterns during sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit were largely similar between pain-free female low-back-pain developers (LBPD) and non-developers (NLBPD). However, a subtle yet significant difference emerged in the mid-phase (26–50%) of sitting, when controlled eccentric descent is required. These findings suggest a neuromuscular-control deficit rather than muscular weakness, leading to compensatory strategies during critical movement phases. Since these kinematic changes appear prior to pain symptoms or structural alterations, they may represent early biomechanical markers for identifying individuals at risk for developing low-back pain. |
| Keywords |
| Keywords: Low back pain developers, Sit-to-stand-to-sit task, kinematics |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Oral Presentation) |
