The Effect of Spinal and Pelvic Posture and Mobility on Back Pain in Young Dancers and Non-Dancers

Abstract

One-hundred-and-twenty healthy volunteers (ranging in age from 10 to 25 years), completed a questionnaire concerning the type and amount of regular activity and history of low back pain. There were 41 who participated in at least 6 hours of dance per week and 79 non-dancers. Computer-based analysis of videotape records examined sagittal standing posture and thoracolumbar flexion-extension mobility On average, dancers undertook 19 h/wk more regular activity (p = 0.0001), were lighter by 7 kg (p = 0.001), had straighter standing postures (p < 0.001) and greater thoracic and lumbar sagittal excursions (by 23° and 9°, respectively) (p < 0.01). One or more episodes of back pain of at least two da..