METHODOLOGICAL PROPOSAL TO EVALUATE SAGITTAL TRUNK AND SPINE ANGLE IN CYCLISTS: PRELIMINARY STUDY

摘要

This study proposes an improvement on the methodology for sagittal kinematics analysis of the trunk movement in cyclists applying an additional anatomical reference marker. Compared to common methodologies it was possible to describe the trunk and spine kinematics in three different angles. For this purpose, we have added to the anatomical reference points commonly used in evaluations concerning the sagittal trunk kinematics during cycling (great trochanter and acromio), the anatomical landmark of the last rib, which was used to calculate the trunk inclination angle, spine flexion angle and lumbar inclination angle. Three experienced elite road cyclists were volunteered to test the methodology during a cycling test at intensity corresponding to the second ventilatory threshold. It was observed that this new ethodology renders useful information for a detailed sagittal analysis of the trunk motion without the need of a great number of markers or three dimensional setups. The method can be used during cycling evaluation, mainly those related to body positioning. Further studies should be conducted to test this methodology for gait analysis.