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IMPORTANT FACTORS IN OPTIMIZING TRUNK ROTATION RANGE OF MOTION

Abstract

Adam Fatkin1,2,3, Derrick Wassom2, & Dave P. Heller1 1Rockhurst University, Kansas City, MO. 2Dynamic Athletics Research Institute, Overland Park, KS. 3Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY.

The trunk is a vital part of any motion the body performs. The core muscles of the trunk are often the first muscles activated to maintain stability. As a result, it is important to know how the trunk is able to function properly and what factors go into optimal function. PURPOSE: The purpose of this preliminary study is to analyze a large data set of subjects performing a standardized trunk rotation movement to find the underlying variables that may affect how successful the movement is. METHODS: The success of the movement was determined by overall range of motion (ROM) of 2,364 different test subjects. 36 variables were recorded using 3-dimensional markerless motion capture. Subjects were classified into 3 groups (low, mid, high) based on their trunk ROM in the transverse plane. High and low groups were compared using independent t-tests. RESULTS: Out of the 36 different variables analyzed, 17 were considered to be statistically significantly different at or below the p = 0.001 level. Of those 17, several had very large percent mean differences, including: right knee valgus minimum, left knee valgus, lower torso flexion minimum, and lower torso flexion maximum (63.13%, 84.5%, 130.98%, 200.98%, respectively). CONCLUSION: With this data it is now possible to find the variables that may contribute to having increased trunk rotation ROM and thus having better fitness and decreased potential for injury. From this it can be inferred what variables may be important to focus on to maintain optimal stability during athletic training to allow the subject to attain their peak level of fitness.

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