Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic)-Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2006 xiv, 61 leaves, Annexures 1-12, 20 leaves / It is well known that the lifetime incidence of lower back pain (LBP) is particularly high (Richardson et al., 1999). Most cases of LBP are self-limiting, however certain regional biomechanical deficits may be overlooked, such as core stability. As a result of this, LBP may become a chronic condition in the athletic and general population. This principle can be applied to road running, as the forces that pass through the muscles of the lower limbs and trunk cannot be properly absorbed if the trunk musculature is not properly trained. This may lead to lower back pain as a result of inadequate functioning and strength of stabilizing structures (Hedrick, 2000). The purpose of this exploratory cross-sectional study was to determine the relationship between core muscle strength and chronic lower back pain in amateur female road runners and non-runners. The focus was to determine the core stability values in mmHg between amateur female runners with and without chronic LBP, and female non-runners with and without chronic LBP; as well as to compare female runners and non-runners with regard to core muscle strength.

Thesis (MScPhysio (Physiotherapy))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Objective The objective of this study was to establish the reliability and validity of a Portable Posture Analysis Method (PPAM). Design The design for the reliability section was a repeated measures observational study and the design for the validity section was a correlation study. Background The prevalence of spinal pain among high school learners is high (Murphy et al, 2002). It is also notable that the prevalence of back pain increases across the teenage years (Grimmer & Williams 2000, Burton et al 1996). In South Africa, the preliminary findings of a study conducted by a Physiotherapy masters candidate (Ms L Smith: ethics nr. N05/09/164) indicates that about 74% of high school learners in Cape Town complained of musculoskeletal pain. Posture has been identified by some researchers to be a primary predictor of the development of spinal, particularly upper quadrant pain among computer users (NIOSH 1997, Vieira et al 2004). Measurement of posture poses a real challenge to researchers wanting to accurately evaluate posture in research projects. Considering the practical implications in measuring posture, the validity and reliability of posture measurement are often reported to be poor. Many of these methods of indirect assessment of working posture have been reported on in the literature. These measures include; the goniometer, inclinometer, flexible electrogoniometer, flexicurve and photography (Harrison et al 2005, Christensen 1999, Nitschke et al 1999, Chen & Lee 1997). ...

Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic)-Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2006 xiv, 61 leaves, Annexures 1-12, 20 leaves / It is well known that the lifetime incidence of lower back pain (LBP) is particularly high (Richardson et al., 1999). Most cases of LBP are self-limiting, however certain regional biomechanical deficits may be overlooked, such as core stability. As a result of this, LBP may become a chronic condition in the athletic and general population. This principle can be applied to road running, as the forces that pass through the muscles of the lower limbs and trunk cannot be properly absorbed if the trunk musculature is not properly trained. This may lead to lower back pain as a result of inadequate functioning and strength of stabilizing structures (Hedrick, 2000). The purpose of this exploratory cross-sectional study was to determine the relationship between core muscle strength and chronic lower back pain in amateur female road runners and non-runners. The focus was to determine the core stability values in mmHg between amateur female runners with and without chronic LBP, and female non-runners with and without chronic LBP; as well as to compare female runners and non-runners with regard to core muscle strength.