Abstract
Objective:
Effects of obesity on trunk forward flexion motion in sitting and standing, and postural adaptations and hip joint moment for a standing work task.
Design:
Cross-sectional comparison of obese and normal weight groups.
Subjects:
Ten obese subjects (waist girth 121.2±16.8 cm, body mass index (BMI) 38.9±6.6 kg m−2) and 10 age- and height-matched normal weight subjects (waist girth 79.6±6.4 cm, BMI 21.7±1.5 kg m−2).
Methods:
Trunk motion during seated and standing forward flexion, and trunk posture, hip joint moment and hip-to-bench distance during a simulated standing work task were recorded.
Results:
Forward flexion motion of the thoracic segment and thoracolumbar spine was decreased for the obese group with no change in pelvic segment and hip joint motion. Obese subjects showed a more flexed trunk posture and increased hip joint moment and hip-to-bench distance for a simulated standing work task.
Conclusions:
Decreased range of forward flexion motion, differing effects within the trunk, altered posture during a standing work task and concomitant increases in hip joint moment give insight into the aetiology of functional decrements and musculoskeletal pain seen in obesity.
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Acknowledgements
This project was supported by a Southern Cross University Research Grant.
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Gilleard, W., Smith, T. Effect of obesity on posture and hip joint moments during a standing task, and trunk forward flexion motion. Int J Obes 31, 267–271 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803430
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803430
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