Markers For Monitoring Adaptive Peculiarity Of The Musculoskeletal System In Rhythmic Gymnasts With Non-Specific Low Back Pain

BACKGROUND: Gymnasts' spine bears high repetitive stress and frequently prone to injuries and low back pain (LBP). Therefore it is important to find indicative and noninvasive markers for monitoring LBP in young sportsmen. In this context we characterize function of musculoskeletal system (MSS) in rhythmic gymnasts with and without LBP. We presume that anthropometric methods can be used for monitoring peculiarities of the MSS adaptations in gymnasts with LBP.METHODS: 32 rhythmic gymnasts at national level participate in the study. The spinal curvature in the sagittal plane was recorded using pantograph. The tone of the trunk flexor and extensor muscles was monitored with myotonometer. The difference in body height in supine and standing position (L(ss)) was calculated (reflects spine springiness).RESULTS: In gymnasts without LBP (N.=16, aged 14.3 +/- 1.3 years), the difference in tone between trunk flexor and extensor muscles (M) was minimal, angles of thoracic kyphosis (TK) and lumbar lordosis (LL) were in balance, whereas the positive correlations (r=0.58-0.73, P<0.001) between measured angular parameters was observed. In gymnasts with LBP (N.=16, aged 14.6 +/- 1.5 years, (Oswestry Disability Index [ODI] 20.4 +/- 1.6%, VAS score 3.7 +/- 2.3 cm) the tone of trunk extensor muscles was higher (P<0.001) than of flexor muscles, spinal curvature was imbalanced, difference between the angles of LL and TK was significant (P<0.001), with LL dominating. No significant correlations (P>0.05) between spine curvature indicators, and low (P<0.001) L(ss) in comparison with asymptomatic gymnasts were found in gymnasts with non-specific LBP. VAS score of LBP positively correlated with M (r=60.0, P<0.01).CONCLUSIONS: Mal-adaptive MSS response in gymnasts with LBP can be characterized by the following: tone imbalance of trunk flexor and extensor muscles, poor posture control with dominance lumbar lordosis, low L(ss), (or lowered rate of spine springiness). This has implications for understanding the potential for peculiarity of the MSS adaptations in rhythmic gymnasts with non-specific LBP.