Effects of Running on Intervertebral Disc Height

Abstract

Vertebral column height decreases throughout the course of the day. This decrease is the result of a loss of fluid from the intervertebral discs due to compressive loading. When the load changes during the day, as a result of varying physical activities, the rate of disc shrinkage changes in relation to those activities. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a correlation between long distance running and an increase in the loss of vertebral column height. Thirty elite male runners, ages 17 to 29, participated in this study. Subjects' vertebral column heights were measured in the morning upon waking, in the afternoon prior to running 9 miles, and then immediately following the run. Paired t-tests revealed: 1) that the vertebral column height was significantly less following the run, and 2) that a significantly greater amount of height was lost during 1 hour of running than during 7.5 hours of relatively static activities. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1990;12(4):139-146.