Core muscles endurance in sedentary staffs with and without nonspecific chronic low back: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background. Musculoskeletal dysfunction is one of the most important occupational health issues. Prolonged sitting may be a risk factor for low back pain (LBP) associated with reduced muscle endurance, although many people with a sedentary lifestyle and sitting-type job report no pain and discomfort in the lumbar region. In the present study, endurance of the core muscles in individuals with sedentary jobs with nonspecific chronic LBP were compared with those without LBP. Objective. The present study compared core muscle endurance in individuals with sedentary jobs with and without nonspecific chronic low back pain. Methods. A total of 50 sedentary staffs were selected and divided into LBP and control group. Trunk muscle endurance was measured in seconds using the McGill’s trunk flexor endurance test, the Sorenson’s trunk extensor endurance test, and the right and left trunk flexor endurance test (Side-bridge test). Differences between the two groups were analyzed using multivariate general linear models in 2 ways ANOVA. Results. There were no significant between-group differences in the raw endurance of the extensor, flexor, right/ left flexor muscles (P ≥ 0.05). However, there were significant betweengroup differences in some self-reported physical fitness subscales (P < 0.05), duration of sitting at home (P = 0.035), frequency of assuming a slump sitting position (P = 0.049), and sitting with leaning back to the backrest (P = 0.02) at work. We developed uni-and multivariate general linear models, which showed adjustments to these parameters and unmasked fundamental between-group differences in extensor muscle endurance. Conclusions. Our finding does not support the popular opinion that daily sitting-while-at-work for long durations is necessarily associated with LBP. Instead, sitting posture, lower physical fitness levels, and shorter duration of sitting activities at home may be associated with reduced extensor muscle endurance in nonspecific chronic low back pain. © 2021, CIC Edizioni Internazionali s.r.l.. All rights reserved.