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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Systematic repetition or prolonged posture in specific postures adopted during training could generate modifications on the sagittal spinal curvatures. Spinal alteration in its physiologic curvatures in the sagittal plane has been associated with predisposition to spinal disorders. The objective was to evaluate and compare the changes produced on the sagittal thoracic and lumbar spinal curvatures, and pelvic tilt from standing posture on the floor to upper, middle, lower and aerodynamic handlebars postures adopted on their own road bicycles. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of twenty-eight male professional cyclists (179.92 ± 5.78 cm; 67.18 ± 5.74 kg) participated in the study. Cyclists had an experience of 17.22 ± 6.16 years in cycling, and spent 6.52 ± 0.51 days per week and 3.78 ± 0.61 hours per day training on their bicycles. Sagittal spinal curvatures (thoracic and lumbar) and pelvic tilt were measured in the standing position on the floor and while sitting on a bicycle with different handlebar-hand positions (high, middle, low and aerodynamic) using a Spinal Mouse system. RESULTS: The thoracic spine showed significantly greater angular values while in a standing posture than on the bicycle in all handlebar-hands postures evaluated. The lumbar curvature changed from lordosis (negative values – anterior convexity) in standing posture to kyphosis (positive values – posterior convexity) in all handlebar-hands positions on the bicycle. The aerodynamic handlebar positions showed the greatest lumbar flexion (lumbar kyphosis) and anterior pelvic tilt. CONCLUSIONS: Professional cyclists passively maintain their thoracic spine straighter on the bicycle due to handlebar-hands support than in standing posture. However, the lumbar spine is flexed on the bicycle in all handlebar-hands evaluated. The pelvis is modified to greater anterior pelvic tilt when the handlebar-hands position is farther and lower regarding the saddle of the bicycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine the effect of a stretching program performed in the workplace on the hamstring muscle extensibility and sagittal spinal posture of adult women. Material and methods: Fifty-eight adult women volunteers (mean age of 44.23 ± 8.87 years) from a private fruit and vegetable company were randomly assigned to experimental (n=27) or control (n=31) groups. The experimental group performed three exercises of hamstrings stretching of 20 seconds per exercise, three sessions a week for a period of 12 weeks. The control group did not participate in any hamstring stretching program. Hamstring flexibility was evaluated through the passive straight leg raise test and toe-touch test, performed both before and after the stretching program. Thoracic and lumbar curvatures and pelvic inclination were measured in relaxed standing and toe-touch test with a Spinal Mouse. Results: Significant increases (p < 0.01) in toe-touch score and straight leg raise angle (in both legs) were found in the experimental group during post-test, while the control group showed a non-significant decrease for both toe-touch score and straight leg raise test. A significant decrease in thoracic curve and significant increase in pelvic inclination were found in the toe-touch test for the experimental group (p <0.05). However, no significant changes were found in standing posture for any group. Conclusions: Hamstring stretching exercises performed in the working place are effective for increasing hamstring muscle extensibility. This increase generates a more aligned thoracic curve and more anterior pelvic inclination when maximal trunk flexion is performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]