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Research is presented that examined the criterion-related validity of sit-and-reach (SR) and toe-touch (TT) tests which are used to assess hamstring flexibility and pelvic tilt in 24 tennis players, 30 canoeists, 43 kayakers, and 44 cyclists. The study concludes that SR and TT tests might be appropriate measures for spine flexibility and the pelvic tilt range of motion but were not appropriate for measuring hamstring muscle flexibility in these participants.

Sports with a predominance of forward-bending and extension postures have been associated with alterations in the sagittal spinal curvatures and greater risk of spinal injury. Because, the tennis players adopt these postures, the aims of this study were: 1) to describe spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt in male and female highly trained adolescent tennis players during relaxed standing posture and with thoracic spine corrected (in prone lying on the floor); and 2) to determine the frequency of thoracic hyperkyphosis and lumbar hypo/hyper lordosis in these postures. Forty adolescent tennis players (24 male and 16 female) aged 13-18 years, participated voluntarily in this study. The Spinal Mouse system was used to measure sagittal spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt. The mean values in the relaxed standing posture were 43.83° ± 7.87° (thoracic kyphosis), - 27.58° ± 7.01° (lumbar lordosis), and 13.38° ± 5.57° (pelvic tilt) for male tennis players, respectively; and 36.13° ± 6.69° (thoracic kyphosis), - 32.69° ± 5.06° (lumbar lordosis), 20.94° ± 5.36° (pelvic tilt) for female tennis players (p < 0.05 between genders in all spinal parameters). The male and female tennis players showed a frequency of 62.5% and 93.8% (p = 0.032) for neutral thoracic kyphosis, and 83.3% and 93.8% (p = 0.062) in neutral lumbar lordosis, respectively. In conclusion, due to the high percentage of neutral spinal curvatures in both male and female tennis players, to practice tennis in these levels does not alter sagittal spinal morphology in the relaxed standing posture in adolescent highly trained tennis players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sagittal spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt in master cyclists may be altered due to specific cyclists´ postures. Research question: To analyse and compare the spinal and pelvic postures, between two cyclist age-categories with different cycling experience. Type of study: Descriptive and comparative. Methods: Participants: Fifty-five master 30 cyclists (between 30 and 39 years of age) and 55 master 40 cyclists (between 40 and 49 years of age). Main measures of outcome: Sagittal spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt in relaxed standing, slumped sitting and a sit-and-reach test were measured using a Spinal Mouse® system. Results: Greater lumbar lordosis and anterior pelvic tilt in standing were found in master 30 cyclists (p < 0.05). However, no differences were found in the thoracic spine between both groups in standing. Seated thoracic kyphosis was lower in master 30 cyclists than in master 40 cyclists (p < 0.01). Kyphotic lumbar postures and posterior pelvic tilting in both groups were found in the slumped sitting and the sit-and-reach test. A high percentage of thoracic hyperkyphosis and neutral lordosis in standing were found in both groups. Conclusion: Both cyclists´ categories presented a high percentage of hyperkyphosis thoracic in the standing posture, and master 40 cyclists showed a significantly lower lumbar lordosis and anterior pelvic tilt than master 30 cyclists. In the seated position, middle-aged cyclists presented a significantly higher thoracic kyphosis than younger cyclists, although in maximal trunk flexion with knees extended, both groups presented similar values. [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]