LUMBOSACRAL DYSFUNCTIONS IN ELITE CROSS-COUNTRY SKIERS

While the incidence of injury in cross-country skiing remains relative ly low, overuse problems affecting the lumbosacral region may be on th e rise, particularly among elite athletes. In this study, a certified ''Part A'' (Canadian Physiotherapy Association) manual therapist perfo rmed lumbosacral physical assessments on 18 elite cross-country skiers and 15 normal subjects. Results indicated sacroiliac (Sl) joint dysfu nction occurred significantly more often in the skier population (p < 0.007). Incidences of Sl joint asymmetry and lumbar spine dysfunction did not differ between groups. The predominant use of asymmetrical ski -skating techniques may play an influential role in the pathogenesis o f Sl joint dysfunction in elite cross-country skiers.