James Furness1, Mike Climstein2, Jeremy M Sheppard3, Allan Abbott4, Wayne Hing5. 1. Water Based Research Unit, Bond Institute of Health & Sport, Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: jfurness@bond.edu.au. 2. Water Based Research Unit, Bond Institute of Health & Sport, Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia; Exercise Health & Performance Faculty Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: mclimste@bond.edu.au. 3. Centre for Exercise and Sport Science Research, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia; Hurley Surfing Australia High Performance Centre, Casuarina Beach, Australia. Electronic address: jeremy@surfingaustralia.com. 4. Water Based Research Unit, Bond Institute of Health & Sport, Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia; Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Sweden. Electronic address: aabbott@bond.edu.au. 5. Water Based Research Unit, Bond Institute of Health & Sport, Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: whing@bond.edu.au.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Thoracic mobility in the sagittal and horizontal planes are key requirements in the sport of surfing; however to date the normal values of these movements have not yet been quantified in a surfing population. OBJECTIVES: To develop a reliable method to quantify thoracic mobility in the sagittal plane; to assess the reliability of an existing thoracic rotation method, and quantify thoracic mobility in an elite male surfing population. DESIGN: Clinical Measurement, reliability and comparative study. METHODS: A total of 30 subjects were used to determine the reliability component. 15 elite surfers were used as part of a comparative analysis with age and gender matched controls. RESULTS: Intraclass correlation coefficient values ranged between 0.95-0.99 (95% CI; 0.89-0.99) for both thoracic methods. The elite surfing group had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) greater rotation than the comparative group (mean rotation 63.57° versus 40.80°, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study has illustrated reliable methods to assess the thoracic spine in the sagittal plane and thoracic rotation. It has also quantified ROM in a surfing cohort; identifying thoracic rotation as a key movement. This information may provide clinicians, coaches and athletic trainers with imperative information regarding the importance of maintaining adequate thoracic rotation.
BACKGROUND: Thoracic mobility in the sagittal and horizontal planes are key requirements in the sport of surfing; however to date the normal values of these movements have not yet been quantified in a surfing population. OBJECTIVES: To develop a reliable method to quantify thoracic mobility in the sagittal plane; to assess the reliability of an existing thoracic rotation method, and quantify thoracic mobility in an elite male surfing population. DESIGN: Clinical Measurement, reliability and comparative study. METHODS: A total of 30 subjects were used to determine the reliability component. 15 elite surfers were used as part of a comparative analysis with age and gender matched controls. RESULTS: Intraclass correlation coefficient values ranged between 0.95-0.99 (95% CI; 0.89-0.99) for both thoracic methods. The elite surfing group had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) greater rotation than the comparative group (mean rotation 63.57° versus 40.80°, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study has illustrated reliable methods to assess the thoracic spine in the sagittal plane and thoracic rotation. It has also quantified ROM in a surfing cohort; identifying thoracic rotation as a key movement. This information may provide clinicians, coaches and athletic trainers with imperative information regarding the importance of maintaining adequate thoracic rotation.