A Cross-sectional Study on Association of Iliopsoas Muscle Length with Lumbar Lordosis Among Desk Job Workers.

Abstract

Background: Prolonged hours of sitting in sustained posture is a common job requirement of desk job workers. Potential risk of iliopsoas muscle shortening leading to lumbar hyperlordosis, which in turn may cause low-back pain was identified. Thus, this study determined association between iliopsoas muscle length and lumbar lordosis in desk job workers.

Methods and material: This cross-sectional study was conducted on forty-six desk job workers working for 5 hrs/day for at least 5 years. Workers were assessed for iliopsoas muscle length using Modified Thomas test and flexi-ruler was used to measure lumbar lordosis. Pearson's correlation was operated for association of iliopsoas length with lumbar lordosis.

Results: Lumbar lordosis demonstrated moderate positive correlation with both right (r = 0.628) and left Iliopsoas muscle length (r = 0.647).

Conclusion: This study concluded workers with higher degree of lumbar lordosis presented with shorter iliopsoas length. Timely intervention to maintain the length of this muscle will ensure low incidence of low-back pain among desk job workers thereby safeguarding their spine due to cumulative trauma.