THE RELATION BETWEEN POSTURAL ASSESSMENT AND SELFREPORTED MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES IN ADULT ATHLETES THAT PRACTICE COMBAT SPORTS

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to identify the association between posture assessment and musculoskeletal injury self-report prevalence at different anatomical regions in combat modality athletes. A convenience sample of 112 male adults combat athletes were evaluated, from 20 to 51 years of age, that trained five times a week, between 90 and 120 minutes. The body posture data was determined by Portland State University method, that consider as criteria percentage values for each anatomical region as head and neck (HNR), dorsal and lumbar spine (DLSR), abdomen and hips (AHR) and lower limbs (LLR). These data represent the posture correction index (PCI). The criteria classification is 80.0%. Also a digital biophotogrammetry analyses associated to self-report of musculoskeletal injuries were addressed. GraphPad Prism 6.0 and SPSS Inc. 22, were used as data analysis, with significance at p<.05, The comparison between groups with or without musculoskeletal injury, with PCI and anatomical region was determined by logistic regression as predictive variables. The results analysis showed that the musculoskeletal injuries group, significant differences between head (LLR= 80.0%; p< .035), shoulder (PCI= 76.0%; p< .005), HNR =76.0% (p< .004) and AHR =86.7% (p<.013) and the spine (ICP= 76.0%; (p< .044) and DLSR=76.0%;(p<.012). These data allowed us to concluded that there was a significant association between postural assessment and musculoskeletal self-reported injury, suggesting the necessity to address exercises to balance musculoskeletal alterations, specifically in upper limbs region.