Postural alteration, low back pain and resistance of the trunk stabilizers muscles in university students

Abstract

Introduction: Lower back pain, the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorder, is common in individuals with postural alterations, which has a high incidence in university students. Instability and weakness of the trunk muscles are determinant in the presence of low back pain. However, no research was found that investigated the relationship between low back pain in conjunction with postural alterations and the strength of the trunk stabilizer muscles. Objective: To analyze the correlation between postural alterations and trunk muscle strength in women with and without low back pain. Methods: Forty women were recruited and separated into group with low back pain (n=20; 20,85±1,69 years), and without low back pain (n=20; 20,05 ± 2,54 years).On the first day posture was evaluated by photogrammetry using the Kinovea software.On the second day, the volunteer did the flexor endurance test, back extensors test, lateral musculature test, prone bridge test, supine bridge test, and the lumbar traction was evaluated using the traction dynamometer. The Pearson Correlation test was applied to verify the relationship between the variables analyzed, T Student statistical test for comparison between groups, adopting a significance level of p <0.05. Results: There was no correlation between the variables analyzed (p <0.05) and no difference between the groups except for the bridge exercise test (p = 0.04) and vertical alignment of the head from the left lateral view (p = 0.041) and right view (p = 0.034). Conclusion: This study did not show a direct and significant relationship between postural alterations in university students with and without complaints of low back pain and the resistance of the trunk stabilizing muscles.  

 Keywords: Muscle strength. Photogrammetry. Posture.