Adolescent versus adult responses to vertical spinal loading

Abstract

This study compared the vertical spinal creep response between adolescent and adult males. Thirty healthy male subjects, 15 adolescents (aged 12 to 16 years) and 15 adults (aged 30 to 57 years) were measured. Spinal creep was measured continuously over 25 min under loaded and unloaded conditions using a seated stadiometer that controlled spinal posture. Both adolescent and adult subjects showed significant increase in vertical spinal creep with time but the magnitude of vertical spinal creep was significantly greater in adolescent than in the adult subjects.

Keywords:

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Creep
• Spinal Loading