The relationships between spinal sagittal configuration, joint mobility, general low back mobility and segmental mobility in female homecare personnel

The aim of this study was to investigate joint mobility, segmental and gene ral spinal mobility and their interrelationship in 607 women working as hom ecare personnel. Joint mobility (mainly peripheral) was estimated using the "Beighton" score. Spinal posture and mobility were measured by Debrunner's kyphometer, Passive segmental mobility and pain provocation were estimated manually. Reliability tests between two physiotherapists of segmental mobi lity and pain provocation (n=150 subjects) were performed. Positive correla tions were found between joint mobility, sagittal thoraco-lumbar mobility a nd segmental mobility. Hyperlordosis (>39 degrees) was associated with grea ter lumbar mobility. The reliability of manual segmental mobility and segme ntal pain provocation was good, especially in the lowest back segments (kap pa approximate to 0.7). Joint mobility, general mobility and segmental spin al mobility intercorrelated, Segmental mobility manually estimated showed i ntertester reliability. The good positive correlation between sagittal lumb ar mobility and manually tested segmental mobility indicates criterion vali dity for the latter.