Features of pathological changes in spine of athletes and their impact on posture

Abstract

The article examines the problem of injuries and diseases of the spine in athletes, noting their relative prevalence among the pathology of the musculoskeletal system. She emphasizes the influence of various sports on the formation and condition of the spine, pointing out the adverse effects of asymmetric sports and the beneficial effects of symmetrical and mixed sports. With the help of an experimental examination of 24 student-athletes, aged 18 to 19 years, an analysis of anthropometric measurements of their spine curves in the sagittal plane was carried out and assessment of posture based on the calculation of the shoulder index (degree of stooping). Measurements of expressiveness of lordosis and kyphosis of the vertebral column in the sagittal plane were carried out by the contact method at reference (anthropometric) points of the subject's body. The results revealed deviations from the norm in the curves of the spine and postural disturbances in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions of the spine in athletes of both specializations. Both deepening and flattening of the cervical lordosis was recorded in athletes specializing in "Football". Deepening was recorded in the area of lumbar lordosis and in the area of thoracic kyphosis. Athletes specializing in "Weightlifting" have a specific expressiveness of the physiological curvatures of the spine, namely the flattening of the cervical, thoracic and deepening of the lumbar curves. The conclusions emphasize the importance of using morphological control criteria to prevent overtraining of the athlete in order to manage the adaptation of the athlete's body to increasing physical loads.