A comparison of spinal curvatures and posture between active kayakers and physically active non-kayakers

Abstract

Background: Kayaking is a sport that places repetitive demands on the spinal column and upper body musculature to propel the body and kayak forward. There is significant potential for curvature changes attributed to sustained periods of the kayaking posture as well as the effect of ageing on spinal curvatures. The study aimed to investigate the association between kayaking and spinal curvature anomalies (cervical lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, and lumbar lordosis) in males between the ages of 40 to 60 years. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two male participants were included in this study, with two groups – Kayaking (K) and Non-kayaking (NK) - comprising 26 participants respectively. Full-body photographs were taken and analysed using PosturePro™. Spinal curvatures were measured using a Flexicurve ruler and angles were then calculated using BiomechFlex software. Results: There was no significant difference in mean spinal angles between the groups. T-Flex and T-Cobb angles showed trends toward differences between the groups, with the K group having larger values than the NK group. There were statistically significant positive correlations between activity years and T-angles (T Flex: p=0.015 and T-Cobb: p=0.014) seen in the sample population. In the K group, a moderate negative correlation between activity years and L-angles (L-Flex: p=0.028 and L-Cobb: p=0.023) was noted. Conclusion: Spinal alignment changes can be affected through exposure to specific postural states. The activity of kayaking has a specific postural pattern and although not all results were of statistically significant value, a clinically significant value of altered spinal curvature associated with kayaking was found.