NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release:
July 10, 2002
For more information contact:
AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SPORTS MEDICINE
Christa Dickey
Department of Communications and Public Information
317-637-9200
SITTING ON THE BENCH FOLLOWING WARMUP HURTS
SPINE
Study notes low, unsupported sitting stiffens low back, can compromise
performance
INDIANAPOLIS-The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has
released a study that sheds new light on low-back stiffness and bench
rest in athletes. The results were published in the July 2002 issue of
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise®. Sitting
without a back rest temporarily destabilizes the spine and can
compromise range of motion, increase low-back stiffness and may change
the risk of injury. Researchers from the University of Waterloo also
acknowledged that the low benches used in most sports can exacerbate
such stiffness, particularly in taller athletes, and wanted to find out
whether the benefits of pre-game warm-up exercises and stretching used
by most athletes-decreased lower back spine stiffness and increased
range of motion-would last through a subsequent period of inactive bench
sitting.
"There is evidence that if an athlete warms up, reducing muscle and
tissue viscosity, the spine will move readily without stiffness or
pain," said Stuart M. McGill, Ph.D., lead researcher on the study. "We
wanted to find out whether athletes who sit on the bench for a prolonged
period after such exercise and stretching-especially a low bench without
back support-negate any measurable benefits and even increase risk of
injury." Dr. McGill collaborated on the study with Jason Green, B.S.C.,
also of Waterloo.
The researchers recruited nine healthy males about 23 years old who
had been free from chronic or disabling low-back pain for at least a
year. Each participant performed maximum voluntary range-of-motion tasks
for flexion, extension, lateral bend and axial twist of the back. They
were tested for stiffness three times with four movements (spine
flexion, extension, right lateral bend and clockwise rotation), totaling
36 tests per subject. Each participant then performed a 30-minute
warm-up procedure, and was subsequently instructed to sit on a standard
team bench for 30 consecutive minutes while lower back kinematic data
was collected every five minutes.
Comparing pre-test and post-exercise curves, the researchers
determined whether the warm-up affected lower back stiffness. They
compared post-exercise and post-rest curves to determine the effect of
bench rest on lower back stiffness. Finally, they compared pre-test and
post-rest curves to determine whether a warm-up procedure followed by
bench rest would indeed increase stiffness. The researchers concluded
that their study showed that a warm-up followed by bench rest increases
stiffness of the lower back spine. There was no observed decrease in
stiffness as a result of the warm-up, nor was there any observed change
in range of motion between any of the conditions. It would appear,
therefore, that a warm-up by itself does not alter stiffness of the
spine, but that a warm-up followed by prolonged bench rest results in an
increase of stiffness.
Because the subjects used in this study were varsity-level volleyball
players, they represent athletes-and taller athletes at that-rather than
the general population. The researchers point out that the warm-up with
specific stretches for the low back and legs did not substantially
decrease stiffness, possibly because of the cool-down period. The
stiffness data calculated in this study suggest only that there is an
increase in lower back spine stiffness because of prolonged bench rest
after a warm-up. Athletes and coaches alike should be aware of this
stiffness change and its potential threat to low back health, even the
possibility of decreased performance as a result. Dr. McGill, who also
consults with elite athletes and teams, notes that the type of bench-or,
better yet, chair-is an important consideration for sparing the
athlete's back.
The researchers note that further studies in this area could include
research into how much time could elapse before the increase in
stiffness begins. Alternative postures or tasks for players who sit on
the bench should also be investigated.
The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports
medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than
18,000 International, National and Regional members are dedicated to
promoting and integrating scientific research, education and practical
applications of sports medicine and exercise science to maintain and
enhance physical performance, fitness, health and quality of life.
NOTE: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise® is
the official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, and is
available from Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins at 1-800-638-6423. For
a complete copy of the research paper (Vol. 34, No. 7, pages 1076 -
1081) or to speak with a leading sports medicine expert on the topic,
contact the Department of Communications and Public Information at
317-637-9200. Visit ACSM online at www.acsm.org.
The conclusions outlined in this news release are those of the
researchers only, and should not be construed as an official statement
of the American College of Sports Medicine.
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