The normal, healthy low back: Some functional parameters

The lower back is a major factor in the patient's health as well as in his/her economic and social conditions. Many of the diagnostic and therapeutic decisions regarding the lower back are subjective in nature. Complimentary objective and quantitative data will be of great help in clinic and hospital. Some data of this kind evolving from 3-D (3 dimensional) dynamometry is described here and compared to the existing normal, non-symptomatic database published elsewhere. This is an important step toward the objective definition of the abnormal function of the lower back and the use of 3-D dynamometry in the clinic. The range of motion (RoM), maximal isometric torque (MIT), maximal and average speed of motion (MV and AV) and the maximal torques applied in secondary planes while moving in a primary plane (MST) are reported in 54 non-symptomatic volunteers. The men and the women had a similar RoM in all planes (80-90 degrees) but all other results are sex-dependent. The men demonstrated nearly twice the women's torques around all axes, isometrically, and moved much faster in all directions.