Influence of Adjusting the Thoracic and Lumbar Curvature on the Displacement of the Center of Mass in Women

Aims: The present study aims to quantify the influence of adjusting the thoracic and lumbar curvature on the displacement of the center of mass in women with different heel-to-floor heights.

Methodology: To carry out this study, 15 university students (mean age 23.3 ±3.8 years) from Unicentro (University of Middle-West, Guarapuava, Parana, Brazil) participated in the research. Using the photometry method, the women's thoracic and lumbar angles were analyzed with demarcations at the aforementioned angles and the height of heels was simulated using a platform. The positioning of the center of mass was measured using the Dawson method. Those evaluated were divided into two groups, those who felt pain and those who did not feel pain in the lumbar spine.

Results: The results showed no significant difference for the angulations in relation to the increase of the heel with the floor. Thus, the displacement of the center of mass with the increase in height from the heel to the ground was positioned further forward. However it did not show a significant difference.

Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that the modification of the thoracic and lumbar angles and the anterior displacement of the center of mass were no longer evident in women with low back pain.