• Roghani T
• Khalkhali Zavieh M
• Talebian S
• Akbarzadeh Baghban A
• Katzman W

• Affiliation / Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences. Rehabilitation Research Institute and Department of Physical Therapy. Musculoskeletal Research Center
• Affiliation / Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. School of Rehabilitation. Department of Physiotherapy
• Affiliation / Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. School of Rehabilitation. Proteomics Research Center
• Affiliation / Tehran University of Medical Sciences. School of Rehabilitation. Department of Physiotherapy
• Affiliation / University of California, San Francisco. Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences
• Affiliation(G) / Iran / Isfahan
• Affiliation(G) / Iran / Tehran
• Affiliation(G) / United States / California / San Francisco
• Age Factors
• Aged
• Back Muscles / physiopathology
• Kyphosis / physiopathology
• Women

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare static maximal back extensor muscle force, endurance, and characteristics of flexion relaxation phenomenon (FRP) in older women with and without age-related hyperkyphosis.

METHODS: Maximum back extensor force and endurance measured in a sitting position with a designed load cell setup; appearance, onset, and offset angles of FRP; and extension relaxation ratio (ERR) during a dynamic flexion-extension task were compared between 24 older women with hyperkyphosis (thoracic kyphosis angle ≥50°), mean age 65 ± 4.4 years, and 24 older women without hyperkyphosis (thoracic kyphosis angle ≪50°), mean age 63 ± 4.3 years. Variables of force, endurance, angles of FRP, and ERR were analyzed using an independent sample t test. A χ² test was used to identify differences between groups in FRP appearance.

RESULTS: Static back extensor force and endurance were significantly lower among those with versus those without hyperkyphosis (P ≪ .001). Although the 2 groups did not differ in FRP appearance and ERR in the superficial erector spinal muscles (P ≫ .05), FRP in the hyperkyphosis group started sooner and ended later than in the group without hyperkyphosis (P ≪ .05).

CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that women with age-related hyperkyphosis had decreased static maximal force and endurance of the back extensor muscles and prolonged myoelectrical silence of the superficial erector spinal muscles. Reduced endurance of the superficial erector spinal muscles may trigger early onset of FRP and prolonged relaxation of these muscles.

Author keywords: Kyphosis, Posture, Back Muscles, Muscle Strength, Physical Endurance

Author affiliations: TR: Musculoskeletal Research Center, Rehabilitation Research Institute and Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran; Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; MKZ: Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; ST: Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Tehran, Iran; AAB: Proteomics Research Center, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; WK: Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California.

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