Abstract
Background
Knowledge of the contribution of the thoracic spine movement, a requisite for UL functional movement offers the potential for novel directions for research and management in rehabilitation.
Objectives
To synthesise evidence of thoracic spine mobility during UL movement in athletes
Design
Systematic review using 3 reviewers at each stage. Key databases (Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science) were searched up to 30/6/18. Eligibility criteria: adults age 18-40 (reflecting athletic population) and studies assessing thoracic spine and UL movement. Quality assessment was evaluated using AXIS tool and GRADE for overall quality of evidence.
Results
Seven studies were included (n=168, mean age 26.4 years, 33% males) with n=20 in an athlete population. Main findings: Unilateral and bilateral UL flexion resulted in 6.7-8.0 and 12.0-12.8 degree thoracic extension respectively. Unilateral and bilateral UL abduction resulted in 3.0-4.0 and 9.0-15.0 and degrees respectively. Other thoracic spine movement (lower and upper, rotation and lateral flexion) was variable across movement planes.
Conclusion
There is unequivocal evidence of thoracic spine movement, mainly extension during UL movement and notably at the end of elevation across all planes. Findings support further targeted high quality research and examination of thoracic mobility, an essential link in the kinetic chain, in practice.
Knowledge of the contribution of the thoracic spine movement, a requisite for UL functional movement offers the potential for novel directions for research and management in rehabilitation.
Objectives
To synthesise evidence of thoracic spine mobility during UL movement in athletes
Design
Systematic review using 3 reviewers at each stage. Key databases (Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science) were searched up to 30/6/18. Eligibility criteria: adults age 18-40 (reflecting athletic population) and studies assessing thoracic spine and UL movement. Quality assessment was evaluated using AXIS tool and GRADE for overall quality of evidence.
Results
Seven studies were included (n=168, mean age 26.4 years, 33% males) with n=20 in an athlete population. Main findings: Unilateral and bilateral UL flexion resulted in 6.7-8.0 and 12.0-12.8 degree thoracic extension respectively. Unilateral and bilateral UL abduction resulted in 3.0-4.0 and 9.0-15.0 and degrees respectively. Other thoracic spine movement (lower and upper, rotation and lateral flexion) was variable across movement planes.
Conclusion
There is unequivocal evidence of thoracic spine movement, mainly extension during UL movement and notably at the end of elevation across all planes. Findings support further targeted high quality research and examination of thoracic mobility, an essential link in the kinetic chain, in practice.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Translational Sports Medicine |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 23 Sept 2019 |
Keywords
- atheletes
- kinetic chain
- systematic review
- thoracic spine mobility
- upper limb