Three-dimensional spine kinematics during multidirectional, target-directed trunk movement in sitting

The current study provides a quantitative assessment of three-dimensional spine motion during target-directed trunk movements in sitting. Subjects sat on an elevated surface, without foot support, and targets were placed in five directions, at three subject-specific distances (based on trunk height). Subjects were asked to lean toward the target, touch it with their head, and return to upright sitting. A retro-reflective motion analysis system was used to measure spine motion, using three kinematic trunk models (1, 3 and 7 segments). Significant differences were noted in the total trunk motion measured between the models, as well as between target distances and directions. In the most segmented model, inter-segmental trunk motion was also found to differ between trunk levels, with complex interaction effects involving target distance and direction. These findings suggest that inter-segmental spine motion is complex, task dependent, and often unevenly distributed between spine levels, with motion patterns differing between subjects, even in the absence of pathology. Use of a multi-segmental model provides the most interpretable findings, allowing for differentiation of individual motion patterns of the spine. Such an approach may be beneficial to the understanding of movement-related spine pathologies.