Sagittal spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt in cyclists International SportMed Journal, Vol.13 No.

3, September
2012, pp. 122-132. Available at URL: http://www.ismj.com

ISMJ
International SportMed Journal

Original research article

Sagittal spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt in cyclists: A comparison

between two master cyclist categories

1*
Professor Jos M Muyor, PhD, 2Professor Pedro A Lpez-Miarro, PhD,
1
Professor Antonio J Casimiro, PhD, 3Professor Fernando Alacid, PhD
1
Department of Physical Education. University of Almera, Almera, Spain
2
Department of Physical Education. University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
3
Department of Sports Sciences. University of Murcia. Murcia, Spain

*Corresponding author. Address at the end of text.

Abstract
Background: Sagittal spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt in master cyclists may be altered due to specific
cyclists postures. Research question: To analyse and compare the spinal and pelvic postures,
between two cyclist age-categories with different cycling experience. Type of study: Descriptive and
comparative. Methods: Participants: Fifty-five master 30 cyclists (between 30 and 39 years of age)
and 55 master 40 cyclists (between 40 and 49 years of age). Main measures of outcome: Sagittal
spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt in relaxed standing, slumped sitting and a sit-and-reach test were
measured using a Spinal Mouse system. Results: Greater lumbar lordosis and anterior pelvic tilt in
standing were found in master 30 cyclists (p < 0.05). However, no differences were found in the
thoracic spine between both groups in standing. Seated thoracic kyphosis was lower in master 30
cyclists than in master 40 cyclists (p < 0.01). Kyphotic lumbar postures and posterior pelvic tilting in
both groups were found in the slumped sitting and the sit-and-reach test. A high percentage of
thoracic hyperkyphosis and neutral lordosis in standing were found in both groups. Conclusion: Both
cyclists categories presented a high percentage of hyperkyphosis thoracic in the standing posture,
and master 40 cyclists showed a significantly lower lumbar lordosis and anterior pelvic tilt than master
30 cyclists. In the seated position, middle-aged cyclists presented a significantly higher thoracic
kyphosis than younger cyclists, although in maximal trunk flexion with knees extended, both groups
presented similar values. Keywords: cycling, spine, posture, kyphosis, lordosis

*Professor Jose M Muyor, PhD

Jose M Muyor graduated in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences in 2005 from the Catholic University
San Antonio of Murcia (Spain). He obtained a PhD in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences in 2010
from the University of Almera (Spain). He is Professor of Teaching Physical Education and Teaching
of the Individual Sports at the University of Almera (Spain). His main areas of research are spinal
posture and hamstring extensibility in sport and exercise.

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Sagittal spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt in cyclists International SportMed Journal, Vol.13 No.3, September
2012, pp. 122-132. Available at URL: http://www.ismj.com

Professor Pedro A Lpez-Miarro, PhD

Pedro A Lpez-Miarro Muyor graduated in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences in 1997 from the
University of Granada (Spain). He obtained a PhD in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences in 2003
from the University of Murcia (Spain). He is Professor of Physical Exercise and Health at the
University of Murcia (Spain). His main areas of research are spinal posture and hamstring extensibility
in sport and exercise.
Email: palopez@um.es

Professor Antonio J Casimiro, PhD

Antonio J Casimiro graduated in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences in 1987 from the University of
Madrid (Spain). He obtained a PhD in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences in 1999 from the
University of Granada (Spain). He is Professor of Physical Exercise and Health at the University of
Almera (Spain). His main areas of research are physical exercise and health.
Email: casimiro@ual.es

Professor Fernando Alacid, PhD

Professor Fernando Alacid graduated in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences in 2000 from the
University of Cceres (Spain). He obtained a PhD in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences in 2008
from the University of Murcia (Spain). He is Professor of Paddling Teaching at the University of Murcia
(Spain). His main areas of research are biomechanical analysis of flatwater kayaking and canoeing.
Email: fernando.alacid@um.es
Introduction
Spinal curvatures are capable of considerable
variation in the movements of the body and in
static postures. There are variations in the
degree of normal curvature, but this shape,
nevertheless, allows equal distribution of
1
forces across the spine . Optimal alignment of
the spine and its position in relation to the
pelvis and lower extremities has marked
clinical implications. Sagittal curvatures are
geometric parameters that are known to have
a significant influence on mechanical
properties during compressive loading . The
2, 3
normal development of spinal sagittal
curvatures depends on the interaction between
growth and mechanical factors .
4 on sagittal spinal curvatures postures is
Previous studies have reported that specific
and repetitive movements and postures of
each sport may influence spinal curvatures .
5-9
These studies found a higher frequency of
thoracic hyperkyphosis postures in sports
where static or cyclic trunk flexion is
predominant. All these studies have analyzed
thoracic and/or lumbar spinal curvatures, but
not pelvic posture. Nevertheless, the relations
between cyclist training in sagittal spinal
curvatures and pelvic position have not been
fully defined. Sagittal plane alignment is
increasingly recognised as a critical parameter
in the analysis of spinal curvatures.
Additionally, pelvic position is a key component
10
in the regulation of sagittal alignment .
The main cycling posture is seated on the
bicycle with trunk slightly bent forward to keep
11
upper limbs on the handlebar . This posture
may influence spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt
12
in the usual positions. Rajabi et al. found a
significantly greater standing thoracic kyphosis
in cyclists than in sedentary individuals.
13
Recently, Muyor et al. reported that highly
trained cyclists presented a thoracic
hyperkyphotic posture in standing. Usabiaga et
14
al. reported that the lumbar spine changes
from lordosis in standing to kyphosis when
15
sitting on the bicycle. McEvoy et al. found
that cyclists had a higher anterior pelvic tilt in
comparison with sedentary subjects when
sitting on the floor with extended legs, but they
did not evaluate the thoracic and lumbar spine.
However, analysis of the influence of cycling
limited.
Previous studies have not compared different
age groups within a same-sport discipline. The
aging process could lead to changes in sagittal
16
spinal curvatures and pelvic position . Lin and
17
Liao observed differences in the
performance of forward-bending movements
18
between some age-groups. Kuo et al. found
decreased flexo-extension range of motion in
the thoracic and lumbar spine in older adults.
For these reasons the aims of this study were
1) to analyse and compare the spinal and
pelvic postures between two cyclist categories
(with different years of cycling experience) in
several positions; and 2) to determine the
frequency of standing thoracic and lumbar
sagittal spinal misalignment in young and
middle-aged cyclists.

123 Official Journal of FIMS (International Federation of Sports Medicine)

Sagittal spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt in cyclists International SportMed Journal, Vol.13 No.3, September
2012, pp. 122-132. Available at URL: http://www.ismj.com

Methods The inclusion criteria were 1) daily training on

bicycles of between two and four hours, 2)
Participants training between three and five days per week,
A total of 110 master cyclists (55 master 30 and 3) at least four years of training. The
cyclists and 55 master 40 cyclists) participated exclusion criteria were 1) a history of spinal
in this study. The master cyclists were divided pain in the three months prior to the study, 2) a
in two groups, following the technical rules of history of spinal surgery, or 3) a medically
the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation: master diagnosed spinal disorder. All participants were
30 cyclists (30 to 39-years old) and master 40 instructed to avoid strenuous training and
cyclists (40 to 49-years old). Sample physical activity 24-hours prior to the study.
characteristics are shown in Table 1.
Table 1: Descriptive characteristics of master 30 and master 40 cyclists (mean standard deviation)
Master 30 (n=55) Master 40 (n=55)
Age (years) 31.56 5.54 46.04 4.87*
Height (m) 1.76 0.06 1.75 0.48
Body mass (kg) 77.93 9.59 77.79 9.21
2
BMI (kg/m ) 25.07 2.93 25.28 2.48
Training experience
6.67 6.45 12.61 9.69*
(years)
Training (days/week) 3.30 1.45 2.96 1.11
Training (hours/day) 3.05 1.33 2.94 0.90
*p < 0.001 with respect to Master 30 cyclists.
Spinal Mouse is a valid and reliable device
Procedures
when it was compared with radiographic
19,20,21
An Institutional Review Board approved this techniques .
study and informed consent was obtained from
Prior to taking measurements, the main
all participants. Sagittal spinal curvatures and
researcher determined the spinous process of
pelvic tilt were measured in relaxed standing,
C7 (starting point) and the top of the anal
slumped sitting positions and in a sit-and-reach
crease (end point) by palpation and marked
test using a Spinal Mouse system (Idiag,
the skin surface with a pencil. The Spinal
Fehraltdorf, Switzerland). The Spinal Mouse is
Mouse was guided along the midline of the
an electronic computer-aided measuring
spine (or slightly paravertebrally in particularly
device, which measures sagittal spinal range
thin individuals with prominent processus
of motion and intersegmental angles in a non-
spinous) starting at the spinous process of C7
invasive way, a so-called surface-based
and finishing at the top of the anal crease
technique. The device is connected
(approximately S3). For each testing position,
radiographically via an analog-digital converter
the position of the thoracic (T1 to T12) and
to a standard PC. The Spinal Mouse was
lumbar (L1 to the sacrum) spine and pelvic tilt
guided along the midline of the spine. Two
were recorded. The Spinal Mouse calculated
rolling wheels follow the contour of the spine,
the pelvic tilt as the angle formed between the
and the angle measures are communicated
vertical plane and sacrum inclination. In the
from the device to a base station positioned
lumbar curve, negative values corresponded to
approximately 1-2m away and interfaced to a
lumbar lordosis (posterior concavity). With
personal computer. Data is sampled every
respect to the pelvic position, a value of 0
1.3mm as the mouse is rolled along the spine,
represented the vertical position. Thus a
giving a sampling frequency of approximately
greater angle reflected an anterior pelvic tilt,
150Hz. The average total length of the spine is
and a lower angle (negative values) reflected a
550mm and the time required for
posterior pelvic tilt. Each subject was
measurements of the whole length is 2-4sec.;
evaluated wearing underwear and barefoot
thus, approximately 423 measurements are
respectively, and by the same examiner in a
made over 3sec. This information is then used
single session. The room temperature was
to calculate the relative positions of the sacrum
standardised at 25C.
and vertebral bodies of the underlying bony
spinal column using an intelligent, recursive
19
algorithm . For global spinal angles, the
124 Official Journal of FIMS (International Federation of Sports Medicine)
Sagittal spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt in cyclists International SportMed Journal, Vol.13 No.3, September
2012, pp. 122-132. Available at URL: http://www.ismj.com
Standing
The cyclists assumed a relaxed position, with
the head looking forward, arms hanging by
their side, knees normally extended, and feet
shoulder-width apart. To classify the posture in
categories for thoracic kyphosis, the
22
classification proposed by Mejia et al. was
used: values between 20 and 45 were
accepted as neutral thoracic kyphosis; values
below 20 were considered as thoracic
hypokyphosis; and values above 45 were
considered as thoracic hyperkyphosis. In the
lumbar curve, values between 20 and 40
Figure 1: Sagittal spinal curvatures measured with the Spinal Mouse while in the slumped sitting
position
Sit-and-reach test
Subjects were required to sit with knees
straight and legs together so that the soles of
the feet were flat against the end of a
constructed sit-and-reach box (height = 32
cm). With palms down, subjects placed one
hand on top of the other and slowly reached
forward as far as possible. Subjects slid their
hands along the box, with their knees kept as
straight as possible, and held the resulting
position for approximately five seconds while
125 Official Journal of FIMS (International Federation of Sports Medicine)
were considered neutral; values below 20
were considered hypolordotic; and values
23
above 40 were considered hyperlordotic .
Slumped sitting
The slumped sitting posture was defined as the
subject sitting in a chair without backrest. The
pelvis was positioned in the middle of the seat,
allowing it to tilt posteriorly, with the spine
assuming a relaxed posture. The chair height
was adjusted for each subject so that their
thighs were horizontal to the ground with the
hips, knees, and ankles at angles of
approximately 90.
the spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt were
measured. The distance (score) that the
subjects was able to reach forward was
recorded in centimetres with a ruler located on
the sit-and-reach measuring box. The distance
from the toes (zero point) was measured in
centimetres; positive values were awarded if
subjects could reach beyond their toes and
negative values were awarded if subjects could
not.
Sagittal spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt in cyclists International SportMed Journal, Vol.13 No.3, September
2012, pp. 122-132. Available at URL: http://www.ismj.com

Figure 2: Spinal curvature measurement with the Spinal Mouse in the sit-and-reach test

software. The level of significance was set at p

Data analysis
Intra-tester reliability of thoracic and lumbar
curvatures and pelvic tilt was calculated in a
previous pilot study and their results have been
13
described in Muyor et al. . Descriptive
statistics, including mean and standard
deviations were calculated for all variables.
The hypotheses of normality and homogeneity
of variance were analysed using the
Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Levenes test,
respectively. Parametric analysis was
performed because the data were normally
distributed. Unpaired t-Student tests were
conducted to examine differences between
both groups (master 30 and master 40 cyclists)
for all variables. Between-group effect sizes
(Cohens d) were calculated by using a pooled
standard deviation. An effect size greater than
0.8 was considered large, around 0.5 was
24
moderate, and less than 0.2 was small . The
data were analysed using the SPSS 15.0
< 0.05.
Results
The mean and standard deviations of the
postures evaluated in both groups are shown
in the Table 2. Lumbar lordosis and anterior
pelvic tilt were significantly lower in master 40
cyclists than master 30 cyclists in the standing
posture. However, only moderate effect sizes
between both groups were found (d = 0.4). In
the sitting posture, the thoracic kyphosis was
significantly greater in master 40 cyclists than
master 30 cyclists. No significant differences
between groups were found in the spine and
pelvic tilt when the sit-and-reach test was
performed (Table 2). Both cyclists categories
showed similar sit-and-reach scores (p > 0.05)
(Table 2).

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Sagittal spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt in cyclists International SportMed Journal, Vol.13 No.3, September
2012, pp. 122-132. Available at URL: http://www.ismj.com

Table 2: Mean values ( SD) of the thoracic, lumbar spine and pelvic tilt (degrees) in the postures and
sit-and-reach score (cm) evaluated in master 30 and master 40 cyclists

Mean difference Effect

Master 30 Master 40 p value
(95% CI) size

Thoracic
46.87 8.71 49.31 10.01 -2.43 (-5.98 to 1.11) 0.176 0.25
spine
Lumbar
Standing -26.04 6.04 -22.71 9.16 -3.32 (-6.26 to -0.39) 0.027 0.42
spine
Pelvic tilt 12.11 5.29 9.27 7.18 2.83 (0.45 to 5.22) 0.020 0.44
Thoracic
42.78 8.73 47.96 9.00 -5.18 (-8.53 to -1.83) 0.003 0.56
spine
Lumbar
Slumped sitting 17.38 9.71 17.16 11.98 0.21 (-3.90 to 4.34) 0.917 0.02
spine
Pelvic tilt -15.33 6.46 -15.71 9.01 0.58 (-2.38 to 3.54) 0.698 0.07
Thoracic
62.05 10.06 62.85 10.55 -0.80 (-4.69 to 3.09) 0.685 0.07
spine
Sit-and-reach Lumbar
30.09 8.44 27.27 10.16 2.81 (-0.71 to 6.35) 0.117 0.29
test spine
Pelvic tilt -12.47 9.64 -9.55 9.49 -2.92 (-6.54 to 0.69) 0.112 0.30
Sit-and-reach
Score 1.27 8.02 1.05 8.95 0.21 (-2.99 to 3.43) 0.858 0.03
test

The percentage of cyclists in each category of thoracic and lumbar spine angles in the standing
posture is presented in Figure 3. The data show a high percentage of thoracic hyperkyphosis and
neutral lordosis in both groups. The frequency of neutral postures in the thoracic and lumbar spine is
higher in master 30 cyclists than master 40 cyclists.

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Sagittal spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt in cyclists International SportMed Journal, Vol.13 No.3, September
2012, pp. 122-132. Available at URL: http://www.ismj.com
Figure 3: Percentage of subjects in each category of thoracic and lumbar angles in the relaxed
standing position
Discussion
The cyclist spends several hours per day
sitting on the bicycle with anterior trunk
bending and the lumbar spine in kyphotic
posture
13, 14
. This posture may result in some
adaptation in the sagittal spinal angles. The
main objective of this study was to evaluate the
thoracic and lumbar spine and pelvic tilt while
several postures were performed in two master
cyclist age-categories, with different years of
experience in cycling. A discussion of the
postures evaluated is given below.
Standing
The main finding here was that both groups of
master cyclists presented a high frequency of
thoracic hyperkyphosis (54.8% in master 30
and 69.1% in master 40 cyclists), whereas the
lumbar spine curve presented a high
percentage of neutral values. A high exposure
of intensive athletic training might increase the
risk of developing thoracic hyperkyphosis in
4
certain sports . Previous studies have
128 Official Journal of FIMS (International Federation of Sports Medicine)
reported a trend toward higher thoracic
kyphosis in sports that involve a maintained or
cyclic trunk flexion, such as canoeing,
7, 8, 25
wrestling and cross-country skiing . Rajabi
8
et al. found that the thoracic kyphosis was
higher in freestyle wrestling than in Greco-
Roman wrestling due to the specific postures
of each discipline. The freestyle wrestlers put
the spine in more flexed postures while the
Greco-Roman style used the spine in an
almost erect posture. However, these authors
did not evaluate the lumbar spine or pelvic
25
position. Alricsson and Werner found that
the sagittal thoracic curvature shifted towards
higher angular values after a period of 5 years
of intensive training in cross-country skiing, but
no change was shown for lumbar lordosis in
growing individuals. In the current study,
despite the lack of statistical significance,
master 40 cyclists showed higher thoracic
kyphosis than the master 30 cyclists who had 6
12
years less experience in cycling. Rajabi et al.
found greater standing thoracic kyphosis in
cyclists than in sedentary individuals. These
authors justified their findings due to the
specific cyclists posture with the trunk flexed,
Sagittal spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt in cyclists International SportMed Journal, Vol.13 No.3, September
2012, pp. 122-132. Available at URL: http://www.ismj.com
although they did not evaluate these specific
26
postures. Recently, Muyor et al. found that
young cyclists adopted a significantly lower
thoracic kyphosis on their bicycles than in the
standing posture. They found a high frequency
of thoracic hyperkyphosis in the standing
posture than on the bicycle. The thoracic
hyperkyphosis may be related to other factors,
such as inadequate postural habits, rather than
to the specific posture adopted in the sport.
Master 40 cyclists presented a significantly
lower lumbar lordosis and anterior pelvic tilt
than master 30 cyclists in the standing posture.
There were two possible explanations for this.
The first might be that the lumbar flexion
13
(kyphotic posture) maintained on the bicycle
over several years may modify the lumbar
13
spines configuration. Muyor et al. found that
older cyclists presented a lower but not
significant lumbar lordosis and a significantly
lower anterior pelvic tilt than younger cyclists
with similar cycling experience (around 7
years). However, in the current study, older
cyclists (master 40) had more than 6 years
experience in cycling in comparison with
master 30 cyclists. The second possible
explanation is the relation between aging and
spinal curvature and pelvic tilt. Several studies
reported changes in the configuration of spinal
curvatures and pelvic position with age. Gelb
27
et al. found in adults over 40 years old that
increasing age correlated to loss of distal
10
lumbar lordosis. Schawb et al. observed a
significant posterior pelvic tilt with advancing
28
age. Day et al. reported that the lumbar
curve is altered by the pelvic tilt where an
anterior tilt increases the lumbar lordosis and a
posterior tilt decreases the depth of the lumbar
spine. An important limitation of this current
study was that there were no control groups for
each cyclist category. Further research should
be done to analyse the relationships between
spinal and pelvic postures in master cyclists
and matched-age sedentary subjects.
Slumped sitting
Sitting is a habitual posture in daily activities
and it is the specific posture in cycling. This
current study evaluated slumped sitting to
determine the influence of a relaxed position
and passive hip flexion on spinal curvatures
and pelvic position. Master 40 cyclists
presented a significantly greater thoracic
kyphosis than master 30 cyclists. This may be
due to a postural adaptation, although both
groups showed an increased thoracic kyphosis
129 Official Journal of FIMS (International Federation of Sports Medicine)
with respect to the standing posture. The
lumbar spine was in a kyphotic posture while
the pelvis adopted a posterior tilt in both
groups. Thoracic and lumbar kyphotic postures
3
increase the spinal load , intervertebral disc
29-31
pressure , creep deformation in the lumbar
32-34 35, 36
tissues and low back pain . In the
current study, cyclists trained around 3 hours
per day, possibly with a maintained lumbar
13, 14
flexion on the bicycle . Prolonged sitting on
the bicycle has been related to low back pain
34
. After training, a maintained slumped sitting
posture in daily activities may aggravate the
low back pain. This may be a reason why low
38-41
back pain is frequent in cyclists .
Sit-and-reach test
The sit-and-reach test is a common field test in
physical fitness tests to evaluate hamstring
42
and spinal flexibility . The analysis of spinal
angles and pelvic tilt in the sit-and-reach test is
necessary because in this posture the
hamstrings are under tension and influence
6, 43, 44
spinal curvature and pelvic position . In
the current study, master 40 cyclists reach a
non-significant, lower lumbar flexion than
master 30 cyclists. This small difference may
be due to an age-related decrease in the
18, 45
lumbar range of motion , since both groups
had similar sit-and-reach scores. Lpez-
46
Miarro et al. found in kayakers a
significantly greater lumbar flexion in the sit-
and-reach test than in runners. They
speculated that it may be an adaptation to
maintained lumbar flexion in kayakers due to
prolonged sitting in the kayak.
The pelvic position in the sit-and-reach test has
shown a moderate-high relationship with
6, 43, 44
hamstring extensibility . Lpez-Miarro
6
and Alacid found that the hamstring muscles
extensibility influences the thoracic and pelvic
postures of young paddlers in the sit-and-reach
test. The master 40 cyclists reached lower
anterior pelvic tilting than master 30 cyclists
(mean difference: 2.92) but no significant
15
differences were found. McEvoy et al. found
greater anterior pelvic tilt in cyclists than
sedentary subjects when sitting on the floor
with extended legs. In cyclists, this difference
may be due to some adaptation in flexion
postures to reach aerodynamic positions.
Moreover, a prolonged lumbar flexion and
intense training may generate adaptations in
47, 48
the spinal structures , greater spinal loads
2 3
, increased vertebral stress , intradiscal
29-31
pressure , and viscoelastic deformation of
Sagittal spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt in cyclists International SportMed Journal, Vol.13 No.3, September
2012, pp. 122-132. Available at URL: http://www.ismj.com
33
lumbar tissues . In this sense, several studies
have reported that low back pain is the most
38-41
common overuse injury in cyclists . young cyclists, although in maximal trunk
Alterations in spinal curvatures may potentially
influence the development of low back pain
35,36
.
Regarding the methodological criterion with
respect to the sample selection, only cyclists
without current or chronic history of low back
pain were recruited. Low-back pain was an
exclusion criterion because previous studies
have shown that low-back pain is related to
50
changes in lumbopelvic rhythm and the
51
flexion-relaxation phenomenon in sitting and
induces modifications in the position on the
11, 41, 52
bicycle . 1.
Clinical relevance and future directions
A high percentage of cyclists usually report low
40
back pain , perhaps due to prolonged seated
positions on the bicycle, incorrect saddle angle
41
or a maintained kyphotic lumbar posture on
13, 14
the bicycle . Future studies should
investigate the relationship between low back
pain, spinal curvatures and the pelvic posture
in several positions.
In this current study hamstring muscle
extensibility was measured using the sit-and-
reach test. Future investigations should use
other tests (straight leg raise and active or
passive knee extension tests) to evaluate the
relationship between hamstring muscle
extensibility, spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt.
Reduced lumbar lordosis and lower pelvic
inclination in standing may be related to
postural adaptations due to the prolonged
sitting posture on the bicycle over several
years of training. Thoracic hyperkyphotic
postures in standing are frequent in young
and middle-aged cyclists. Future studies
should investigate several age-groups in
cyclists with similar years of training. Postural
activities should be incorporated into the
training activities of cyclists to improve spinal
and pelvic posture.
Conclusion
Both cyclists categories presented a high
percentage of thoracic hyperkyphosis in the
standing posture. Master 40 cyclists showed a
significantly lower lumbar lordosis and anterior
pelvic tilt than master 30 cyclists. In the sitting
130 Official Journal of FIMS (International Federation of Sports Medicine)
posture, middle-aged cyclists presented
significantly higher thoracic kyphosis than
flexion with knees extended both groups
presented similar values.
Address for correspondence:
Professor Jos M Muyor, Edificio Central,
University of Almera. Ctra. Sacramento s/n.
04120. La Caada de San Urbano, Almera,
Spain
Tel.: 34950014045
Email: josemuyor@ual.es
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