Skip to main content

Lumbar spine and hip flexibility and trunk strength in helicopter pilots with and without low back pain history.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Nagai, T; Abt, JP; Sell, TC; Keenan, KA; Clark, NC; Smalley, BW; Wirt, MD; Lephart, SM
Published in: Work
2015

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal issues facing military helicopter pilots. It is clinically important to identify differences in musculoskeletal characteristics between pilots with and without a LBP history for formulating effective interventions. OBJECTIVE: To compare lumbar spine and hip flexibility and trunk strength in pilots with and without a LBP history. METHODS: A total of 30 pilots with a LBP history were matched with pilots without a LBP history. An isokinetic dynamometer and a digital inclinometer were used to evaluate trunk and hip strength and a range-of-motion (ROM), respectively. All tests were performed bilaterally, if applicable, and agonist/antagonist ratios and side-to-side (low/high) symmetries were calculated. Paired t-tests or Wilcoxon tests were used to assess group differences (p <  0.050). RESULTS: The LBP group demonstrated significantly lower trunk extension strength and trunk extension/flexion strength ratio (p <  0.008). The LBP group demonstrated significantly less lateral flexion ROM as well as greater lateral flexion and rotation side-to-side asymmetry (p <  0.009). The LBP group demonstrated significantly greater total hip rotation side-to-side asymmetry (p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Given the results, specific exercises that are targeted to improve trunk strength, ROM, and side-to-side symmetries could be developed to reduce LBP in helicopter pilots.

Duke Scholars

Altmetric Attention Stats
Dimensions Citation Stats

Published In

Work

DOI

EISSN

1875-9270

Publication Date

2015

Volume

52

Issue

3

Start / End Page

715 / 722

Location

Netherlands

Related Subject Headings

  • Zygapophyseal Joint
  • United States
  • Torso
  • Rotation
  • Rehabilitation
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Pilots
  • Muscle, Skeletal
  • Muscle Strength
  • Military Personnel
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Nagai, T., Abt, J. P., Sell, T. C., Keenan, K. A., Clark, N. C., Smalley, B. W., … Lephart, S. M. (2015). Lumbar spine and hip flexibility and trunk strength in helicopter pilots with and without low back pain history. Work, 52(3), 715–722. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-152192
Nagai, Takashi, John P. Abt, Timothy C. Sell, Karen A. Keenan, Nicholas C. Clark, Brian W. Smalley, Michael D. Wirt, and Scott M. Lephart. “Lumbar spine and hip flexibility and trunk strength in helicopter pilots with and without low back pain history.Work 52, no. 3 (2015): 715–22. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-152192.
Nagai T, Abt JP, Sell TC, Keenan KA, Clark NC, Smalley BW, et al. Lumbar spine and hip flexibility and trunk strength in helicopter pilots with and without low back pain history. Work. 2015;52(3):715–22.
Nagai, Takashi, et al. “Lumbar spine and hip flexibility and trunk strength in helicopter pilots with and without low back pain history.Work, vol. 52, no. 3, 2015, pp. 715–22. Pubmed, doi:10.3233/WOR-152192.
Nagai T, Abt JP, Sell TC, Keenan KA, Clark NC, Smalley BW, Wirt MD, Lephart SM. Lumbar spine and hip flexibility and trunk strength in helicopter pilots with and without low back pain history. Work. 2015;52(3):715–722.

Published In

Work

DOI

EISSN

1875-9270

Publication Date

2015

Volume

52

Issue

3

Start / End Page

715 / 722

Location

Netherlands

Related Subject Headings

  • Zygapophyseal Joint
  • United States
  • Torso
  • Rotation
  • Rehabilitation
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Pilots
  • Muscle, Skeletal
  • Muscle Strength
  • Military Personnel