Lumbar lordosis and pelvic inclination of asymptomatic adults

J. W. Youdas, T. R. Garrett, S. Harmsen, V. J. Suman, J. R. Carey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

102 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background and Purpose. We examined the association between pelvic inclination and lumbar lordosis during relaxed standing and eight variables thought to be contribute to lordosis. Subjects. Ninety subjects (45 men, 45 women) without back pain or a history of surgery were examined. The mean age was 54.8 years (SD=8.5) for male subjects and 58.9 years (SD=8.8) for female subjects. Methods. Multiple linear regression modeling was used to assess the association of pelvic inclination and size of lumbar lordosis in a standing position with age, gender, body mass index, physical activity level, back and one-joint hip flexor muscle length, and performance and length of abdominal muscles. Results. Abdominal muscle performance was associated with angle of pelvic inclination for women (R2=.23), but not for men. Standing lumbar lordosis was associated with abdominal muscle length in women (R2=.40), but it was multivariately associated with length of abdominal and one-joint hip flexor muscles and physical activity level in men (R2=.38). No correlation was found between angle of pelvic inclination and depth of lumbar lordosis in a standing position. Conclusions and Discussion. Neither univariate nor multivariate regression models account for variability in the angle of pelvic inclination or size of lumbar lordosis in adults during upright stance; no correlation was found in standing between these two variables. The use of abdominal muscle strengthening exercises or stretching exercises of the back and one-joint hip flexor muscle to correct faulty standing posture should be questioned.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1066-1081
Number of pages16
JournalPhysical therapy
Volume76
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 1996
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Kinesiology/biomechanics
  • Muscle length
  • Muscle performance
  • Muscles
  • Trunk mobility

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