• Shin SS
• Yoo WG

• Imaging, Three-Dimensional
• Kyphosis / physiopathology
• Posture / physiology
• Sitting Position
• Thoracic Vertebrae / physiopathology

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of thoracic spine angle during trunk rotation on the relative rotation angles of the lumbar and pelvic regions, as well as coupled motions.

Methods: Twenty-two young asymptomatic volunteers stood in a comfortable upright posture for 5 seconds, with inertial measurement units attached at the T1, T7, T12, L3, and S2 levels. Participants were divided into kyphotic thoracic (40° ≤ T1-T12 < 50°) and normal thoracic (40° < T1-T12) groups based on measurements taken during standing. Participants performed trunk axial rotation while sitting, and the Eulerian angles were measured at the T1, T7, T12, L3, L5, and S2 levels.

Results: The rotation angles at the T1 (right side, P = .023; left side, P = .035) and S2 (right side, P = .037; left side, P = .015) levels were greater in the kyphotic thoracic compared to the normal thoracic group.

Conclusions: In asymptomatic participants with slight thoracic kyphosis, trunk axial rotation was affected by thoracic curvature.

Keywords: Axial Rotation; Kyphosis; Sitting Position. 

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