A new, comprehensive normative database of lumbar spine ranges of motion

Aims and objectives: To generate gender-specific and broadly based age-rela ted indices for normative lumbar ranges of motion for all planes of movemen t. Design: This was a repeated measures prospective study of spinal range of m otion in a sample of volunteer subjects utilizing a portable modified CA600 0 Spine Motion Analyzer (Orthopedic Systems Inc., Union City, CA, USA). Setting: Data collection was carried out in a variety of community location s including fire, police and ambulance stations, offices and community cent res. Subjects: A total of 405 asymptomatic subjects (196 female, 209 male) were recruited, aged 16-90 years, from sedentary, mixed and physically demanding occupations. Methodology: Indices of lumbar spine ranges of motion were measured in stan ding following a standardized protocol for sagittal flexion/extension, coro nal lateral flexion and horizontal axial rotation movements. Results: Male and female normative flexion ranges declined by approximately 40% (72-40 degrees) across the age spectrum. Extension declined the greate st, by approximately 76% (29-6 degrees) overall. In lateral flexion male an d female ranges declined approximately 43% (29-15 degrees) in each directio n (total 58-30 degrees). In axial rotation no age-related decline was obser ved and ranges of motion remained at approximately 7 degrees in each direct ion (total 14 degrees) across all the ages of the subject group. Conclusions: Data have been generated that provide comprehensive, gender-sp ecific, broadly based and age-related indices for normative lumbar ranges o f motion in all planes of movement. These are applicable to individuals thr oughout adult life, from adolescence through to old age.