The rasterstereographic-dynamic analysis of posture in adolescents using a modified Matthiass test

Abstract

The Matthiass posture test is a clinical test to detect posture changes in children and adolescents. Aim of this study was to objectify this test using a dynamic rasterstereographic measuring device. We examined 31 healthy athletes during a modified Matthiass test with a dynamic rasterstereographic measuring system. Hereby the trunk inclination, kyphosis and lordosis angle were measured. The trunk inclination decreased by about 50% of the basic value just by raising the arms. Additional weight loads of only 5% body weight (bw) resulted in significant changes of the posture (lordosis and kyphosis angle) during this test. With this rasterstereographic measuring device it seems to be possible to determine spinal posture changes under dynamic conditions. The results suggest that additional weights of 5% bw during the Matthias-test are enough to create significant deviations in posture parameters, even in healthy subjects.

Fig. 1

Male test person during the Matthiass test using the lever arm with an extra weight. All extra weights were related to the body weight of the test persons. The schematic drawing shows the different phases of the Matthiass test that were analysed with the rasterstereographic measuring device

Fig. 2

Mean values and 95% confidence intervals of the parameter trunk inclination during the different phases of the Matthiass test. For all measured weights the back was straightened up during the 30 s of the arm holding phase. The changes of the posture are significant between 0 and 7.5% bw as well as for 10% bw

Fig. 3

Mean values and 95% confidence intervals of the parameters kyphosis angle (upper illustration) and lordosis angle (lower illustration) during the different phases of the Matthiass test. A significant reduction of the kyphosis angle and a significant increase of the lordosis angle can be found in all measured weight loads during the 30 s arm holding phase