Reduction of dorsolumbar angulation by headloading

In warm countries carrying loads on the head is a common method of moving goods. It was thought that transmitting weights through the dorsal and lumbar spine might avoid the development of osteoporosis. This was not confirmed. In women who did not carry headloads average dorsal kyphosis was 36.9° in one group and in the second group average dorsal kyphosis was 39.6°. In women who carried headloads dorsal kyphosis was reduced to 30.7°. In women who did not carry headloads average lumbar lordosis was 32.3° and in a second group 31.6°. In women who headloaded the average lumbar lordosis was reduced to 27.7°. Women who carried weights on the head had straighter spines than women who did not. In women who headloaded there was a reduction of thoracic and lumbar angulation of 17%.