Author(s): GAWEL, E., ZEBROWSKA, A., ZWIERZCHOWSKA, A. , Institution: AKADEMIA WYCHOWANIA FIZYCZNEGO IM. JERZEGO KUKUCZKI W KATOWICACH, Country: POLAND, Abstract-ID: 1031

INTRODUCTION:
Lower limb amputation is known to significantly disturb body’s biomechanics. The preliminary research conducted by the authors of the present study suggests that there is a relationship both between the impact of the impairment and the impact of sitting volleyball (SV) training on the structural and functional changes in player’s body, however there is still lack of research that evaluated this issue in terms of initial playing position lateral lower limb amputation vs. no amputation. The aim of the study was to (1) identify and compare the structural (depth) and functional (ROM) state of the spinal curvatures and pelvis in the sagittal plane of able-bodied SV players and amputee SV players in terms of compensatory mechanism, (2) indicate the dominant location of the compensatory changes and the dominant model of the compensatory mechanisms in each of the analyzed groups of players, (3) identify the prevalence and location of the musculoskeletal pain and its predictors related to body’s compensatory mechanisms.
METHODS:
26 elite-level SV players from 6 European countries participated in this study. They were divided into SG1 of lateral amputee SV players, SG2 of able-bodied SV players. A natural experiment method (SV game) was used in the study, followed by acute assessment of the functional changes in the spinal curvatures and theirs ROM assessed by Medi Mouse. Moreover, a Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire from the last 7 days was used to assess the prevalence and location of the musculoskeletal pain.
RESULTS:
Both groups were characterized by normative thoracic kyphosis, however deeper angle was observed in SG2, that simultaneously was characterized by decreased ROM both in flexion and extension. Moreover, in both groups a decreased depth of the lumbar lordosis angle and pelvis tilt (85%, 77%) were observed the most frequent, including decreased depth of theirs ROM. In SG1 statistically significant relationships were observed between years of SV training and the depth of pelvic tilt (R=(-0.58), p<0.05), while in SG2 years of SV training correlated with the depth of thoracic kyphosis angle (R=0.62, p<0.05). Shoulders pain was reported the most frequent, that was found to correlate with years of SV training (R=0.6, p<0.05) in SG1 and with the depth of pelvic tilt (R=(-0.69), p<0.01) in SG2. Furthermore, in both groups shoulders pain was found to correlate with ROM of the thoracic spine in extension(SG1) or lumbar spine in extension (SG2).
CONCLUSION:
The impact of the lower limb amputation on the magnitude of the anteroposterior spinal curvatures seems to be suppressed by the impact of SV performance (extrinsic compensation). Pelvic tilt and lumbar spine can be indicated as the most common location of the compensatory changes. Moreover, SV training seems to induce functional adaptations in theirs ROM. Shoulders seems to be the most frequent location of the pain, that may be associated both with sitting position and functional adaptations in the musculoskeletal structures.