Spatial characteristics of the spine in canoers aged 12-15 years

Aim. The paper aims to identify spatial characteristics of the spine in canoers aged 12-15 years. Materials and methods. Canoers aged 12-15 years were involved in the study. All athletes attended training sessions for beginners, 3 athletes had I adult category. Spatial characteristics of the spine were obtained with the MBN 3-D scanning system. Our analysis involved 6 characteristics, which reflected spatial patterns of the spine in the frontal and sagittal planes. Results. Significant changes were observed in 3 of 6 projections of the spine in the sagittal and frontal planes: L-Th-3D-X (relationship between the thoracic and lumbar sections of the spine (С7-L5) with the sagittal plane), degrees; L-3D-Y (relationship between the lumbar spine (Th 12-L5) and the frontal plane), degrees; L-Th-3D-Y (relationship between the thoracic and lumbar sections of the spine (С7-L5) with the frontal plane), degrees. Conclusion. Our analysis of the spatial characteristics of the spine in canoers showed that sports adaptation was typical from the very beginning of their training sessions. Therefore, their cervical and lumbar spines were shifted forwards. The comparison of skilled (I adult category) athletes and beginners showed significant changes in favor of more experienced athletes. This was enough to conclude that there was a close relationship between postural changes and athletic skills.