Pre-season screening of core muscle balance and control tests in the lumbar spine in professional road cyclists can we prevent uncontrolled movement?

Autor: C Laíz, N de Bernardo, Carlos Barrios, Pablo de Vera, Michał Hadała
Rok vydání: 2011
Předmět:
Zdroj: British Journal of Sports Medicine. 45:351-351
ISSN: 0306-3674
Popis: Background Asymptomatic musculoskeletal function, normal range of joint motion and normal muscle strength are considered not adequate star points to design a prevention injury program. Objective To assess core muscle balance and control in the lumbar spine using simple functional tests during low load activity and high load dynamic movements. Design Cross-sectional descriptive study. Setting Professional road cyclists. Patients 51 elite road cyclists were functionally evaluated at the beginning of the 2010 season. All injuries affecting racers during previous seasons were recorded throughout a clinical oriented interview. Interventions Specific assessment of the site (lower back and pelvis) and direction of uncontrolled movement, under low and high loading within functionally orientated tasks. Main outcome measurements Three tests were conducted in the crook laying position: (1) double leg lift and lower, (2) single leg extension, (3) bridge+single leg extension. In two first tests the ‘stabilizer’ pressure biofeedback unit was used to measure the influence of the global muscle system on trunk stability. Muscle functional extensibility of iliopsoas, tensor fasciae late, anterior rectus femoris and hamstrings were also evaluated. Results Uncontrolled movements in lower back in low load test were found in flexion (57% of cyclist) and extension test (67%). Passive and active restriction of hamstrings while sitting showed significant correlation with impaired low back movements in flexion test (p Conclusion Muscle imbalance between hamstrings and hip flexors together with weak hip extensors provoke uncontrolled movements in the low back of cyclists, predisposing them to more overuse injuries. A specific preventive program should be desirable.
Databáze: OpenAIRE