TrunkFlex 180° - A NEW standardized test for health, sports, and industry predictive of low back pain

TrunkFlex 180° - A new, patented instrument accurately measures trunk rotation for use in sports and medical performance evaluation and improvement protocols

Quantitative measurement of trunk rotation in degrees of angle is vital to identify, evaluate and treat physical impairment or to improve sports performance that requires trunk rotation, such as golf.  Most instruments currently in use are cumbersome, expensive, require a trained technician to set up and use in a clinical environment, and produce inconsistent results.

TrunkFlex 180° is durable, easy to transport to any site, and can be used by any competent person following the test protocol to produce consistent results.  This makes TrunkFlex 180° the ideal instrument for health risk assessment, rehabilitation clinics, and sports performance evaluation.

Study shows high correlation between restricted trunk rotation and chronic low back pain

In a field study, 240 randomly selected participants agreed to a two part research design regarding chronic low back pain (LBP). In the first part, test subjects answered questions about the frequency and intensity of chronic LBP. Pain intensity was described as: mild, slight, moderate, or severe. The frequency of LBP was reported as: less than 10%, 11-26%, 51-75%, or 76-100%.

In the second part, test subject trunk rotation was measured in degrees of angle using the TrunkFlex 180°. The range of motion (ROM) was measured for both left and right sides.

Rotation measurements were compiled in two data sets. In the first set, the rotation for the left and right sides were averaged. In the second, the difference between the left and right sides in degrees of angle was recorded. 

Data analysis showed there is a high statistical significance in the difference in degree of trunk rotation (P-value<.001) between those who report chronic LBP and those who don’t.

In addition, within the group reporting chronic LBP, for every 22 degrees of increased total rotation (right plus left) reports of LBP decreased by one level of intensity.*

Durable, easy to transport and use

The TrunkFlex 180° has no electronics, no invasive or restrictive attachments to the subject, and is easy to use following a simple protocol. The subject sits on the stool with knees at a 90° angle, back straight and arms out to the side. The subject then rotates to the left or right moving the pivot arm around the radius of the protractor where the reading is taken at the furthest point reached.

Find out how you can incorporate the TrunkFlex 180° into your testing protocol.

* Study analysis by: M. Lawrence Clevenson, Ph.D., Professor of Mathematics, California State University - Northridge