Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Volume 33, Issue 1 , Pages 48-55, January 2010

Lumbar Spine and Pelvic Posture Between Standing and Sitting: A Radiologic Investigation Including Reliability and Repeatability of the Lumbar Lordosis Measure

  • Diana E. De Carvalho, DC, MSc

      Affiliations

    • Associate Professor, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
    • ,
  • David Soave, MSc

      Affiliations

    • Research Methodologist, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • ,
  • Kim Ross, DC, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Associate Professor, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • ,
  • Jack P. Callaghan, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Professor, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
    • Corresponding Author InformationSubmit requests for reprints to: Jack P. Callaghan, PhD, Professor, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1.

Received 3 June 2009; received in revised form 20 July 2009

Abstract 

Objective

Sitting has been identified as a cause of mechanical low back pain. The purpose of this study was to use plain film x-rays to measure lumbar spine and pelvic posture differences between standing and sitting.

Methods

Eight male subjects were radiographed standing and sitting in an automobile seat. Measures of lumbar lordosis, intervertebral disk angles, lumbosacral angle, lumbosacral lordosis, and sacral tilt were completed. One-way analysis of variance (α = .05) was conducted on the variables stated above. A Bland-Altman analysis was conducted to assess agreement and repeatability of the lumbar lordosis angle using 2 raters.

Results

Lumbar lordosis values in standing (average, 63° ± 15°) and sacral inclination (average, 43° ± 10°) decreased by 43° and 44°, respectively, in sitting. Intervertebral joint angles in sitting underwent substantial flexion (L1/L2—5° [±3°], L2/L3—7° [±3°], L3/L4—8° [±3°], L4/L5—13° [±3°], and L5/S1—4° [±10°]). Measures of lumbar lordosis; intervertebral disk angles between L2/L3, L3/L4, and L4/L5; lumbosacral lordosis; lumbosacral angle; and sacral tilt were significantly decreased between standing and sitting (P < .001). Intervertebral disk angle between L5/S1 was not significantly different. Analysis using the Bland-Altman technique found good agreement and stable repeatability of measures with no statistical significant differences between or within raters (R1, P = .8474; R2, P = .4402; and R-R2, P = .8691).

Conclusion

The significant differences in lumbar and pelvic measures from standing to sitting further emphasize the range of motion experienced at vertebral levels in sitting. Based on the results of this study, interventions to return motion segments to a less flexed posture should be investigated because they may play a role in preventing injury and low back pain.

Key Indexing Terms: Spine, Radiography, Posture, Automobiles

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 15.00 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S0161-4754(09)00304-2

doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2009.11.008

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Volume 33, Issue 1 , Pages 48-55, January 2010

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution