Translational and Rotational Postural Aberrations Are Related to Pulmonary Functions and Skill-Related Physical Fitness Components in Collegiate Athletes

Abstract

This study assessed the relationship between body posture displacements, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), and skill-related physical fitness tests. One hundred male (60%) and female collegiate athletes (22.2 ± 4 yrs) with normal body mass indexes (BMI up to 24.9) were assessed via the PostureScreen Mobile® app to quantify postural displacements such as head, thorax, and pelvis rotations and translations. CPET and physical performance tests, including the agility t-test, vertical jump test, stork static balance test (SSBT), and dynamic Y-balance test (YBT), were performed. Spearman correlation (r) and p-values are reported. The postural parameters were found to have moderate-to-high associations with the CPET and agility test, moderate correlations with the vertical jump test and SSBT (head and pelvic postures only), and weak correlations with the YBT. As the postural parameters were more asymmetric, both the CPET and performance skills scores were worse. For example: (1) a medium positive correlation was found between cranio-vertebral angle (CVA) and the vertical jump test (r = 0.54; p-value < 0.001) and SSBT (r = 0.57; p-value < 0.001), while a strong negative correlation was found between CVA and the agility test (r = −0.86; p-value < 0.001). (2) A strong positive correlation was found between CVA and oxygen uptake efficiency slope, load watts VO2 at VT, VO2/kg, and load watts at the respiratory compensation point (RCP) (r = 0.65 and r = 0.71; p < 0.001). Conversely, a significant negative correlation was found between CVA and VE/VO2 at VT (r = −0.61; p < 0.001). Postural rotations and translations of the head, thorax, and pelvis were statistically correlated with the physical performance skills and CPET in the young collegiate athletes. There were moderate-to-high associations with cardiopulmonary functions and the agility tests, moderate correlations with the vertical jump test, and weak correlations with the YBT. Postural alignment may be important for optimal physical performance and optimal cardiopulmonary function. Further research is necessary to elucidate the reasons for these correlations found in our sample of young and healthy athletes.

Chronic Widespread Spinal Pain (CWSP) Alleviated With Chiropractic Biophysics®: A Case Report With Three-Year Follow-Up

“…Postural evaluation found right head translation compared to normal in the coronal plane (-TxH) coupled with right thoracic coronal translation (-TxT), Further postural evaluation found left thoracic transverse plane rotation (-RzT) and left posterior pelvic rotation (+RyP). Sagittal plane abnormalities were significant with forward head posture (FHP) (+TzH), posterior thoracic translation (-TzT), and anterior translation of the pelvis (+TzP) [ 18 , 19 ]. All postures were visualized and measured using the PostureScreen® Mobile (PSM) application.…”

Can the Mismatch of Measured Pelvic Morphology vs. Lumbar Lordosis Predict Chronic Low Back Pain Patients?

“…Future studies are needed to build on the current investigation's limitations and look at different age groups and types of populations. For example, recent investigations have looked at how altered sagittal postural profiles influence athletic skills and performance in collegiate athlete populations [48], and looking at how the LL fits pelvic morphology in this population might offer further insights to performance, injury potential, and treatment strategies. This is but one possible future avenue for research.…”