Inter-gender differences in the formation of anteroposterior spinal curvatures in people practicing ballroom dancing

Abstract

Purpose: The study aimed to assess the formation of the spinal anteroposterior curvatures in people practicing ballroom dancing. Methods: The study group comprised 98 people practicing ballroom dancing (58 W, 40 M; aged 35–45 years). Digital inclinometer “Baseline” was used as primary research tool. The data were analyzed based on Student’s t-test, Mann–Whitney U-test and Pearson Chi-square test. Results: Statistically significant inter-gender differences were in the values of angles determining inclination of lumbosacral section of the spine (p < 0.001), the lumbar lordosis curvature (p < 0.001) as well as the compensation ratio (p = 0.002). Statistically significant dependences between the types body posture and gender (p = 0.005) were noted. Conclusions: Women practicing ballroom dancing are distinguished with increased inclination of lumbosacral section of the spine and deeper lumbar lordosis, while men are characterized with shallowed lumbar lordosis. Women are more likely to have lordotic body posture while men are characterized by balanced body posture. The prevalence of body posture subtypes is not dependent on gender.