Examination of the innominate movements in individuals with and without a positive march test

Abstract

[Purpose] The March Test (MT), evaluating hypomobility of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ), is often used in clinical practice to evaluate low back pain but has limited reported validity and reliability. Capturing the innomi-nate movement at SIJ associated with the results of MT has not been examined. The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a significant difference in the motion of the innominate between a positive and a negative MT. [Participants and Methods] Sixteen healthy volunteers were assigned into two groups: positive or negative results of the MT. All participants were asked to perform three different tasks: standing on both limbs, static standing on one-limb and flexing the hip to 90 and 100 degrees, and active flexing the hip past 90 degrees. In a 3D motion analysis system, virtual vectors created by landmarks over the ilium defined innominate movement of the ilium related to the sacrum, which were compared between the groups. [Results] There was significantly limited innominate movement in the March Test positive group compared to the March Test negative group. [Conclusion] This study showed hypomobility at SIJ in the March test positive groups. Further investigation is needed for clinical applications.