Differences in the aging of the spine according to physical activity levels in older women

TL;DR

This study found that older women who are less physically active have more spine imbalance and inclination compared to more active women.

Contribution

The study provides new evidence that physical activity levels influence spinal aging in older women.

Findings

Lower physical activity is linked to greater spine sagittal imbalance in older women.

Physically active older women show better spinal alignment and balance.

No significant differences in spine parameters were found in the frontal plane.

Abstract

The physiological decline with advancing age also affects the aging of the spine. The practice of physical activity (PA) appears to protect against spine degeneration. Hence, the aim of this study was to analyze the morphological differences of the spine in older women, comparing subjects with different levels of PA.

Participants were divided into the three following groups based on the amount of PA practiced: low active (LA); moderate active (MA); high active (HA). The levels of PA were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form (IPAQ–SF). The spine morphology of each participant was assessed through a non-invasive, 3D optoelectronic detection system using the Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) technology. Spine parameters in the frontal and sagittal planes were considered for comparisons.

No significant differences in spine parameters in the frontal plane among the 3 groups were found. In the sagittal plane, we found a significant difference on the spine sagittal imbalance parameter (F(2, 40) = 6.17; p = 0.005), with the highest spine sagittal imbalance in the LA group. Furthermore, in the sagittal plane, we detected a significant difference in the spine inclination parameter (F(2, 40) = 5.93; p = 0.006), with the highest spine inclination in the LA group.

Our results showed that older women who engage d in lower levels of PA exhibited some altered spinal sagittal parameters compared to peers with moderate and high levels of PA, suggesting that PA may contribute to maintain spinal sagittal alignment and preserve spinal sagittal balance.

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