Objective: Long-term sitting triggers movement-related disorders. We used a movement control impairment (MCI) system to investigate lumbar movement dysfunction in those who did and did not develop transient low back pain (LBP) during prolonged sitting.

Methods: Twelve patients who did and did not develop transient LBP during sitting for 2 hours were enrolled. We tested the movement control abilities of the 2 groups using 6 MCI tests (12 test items).

Results: The mean MCI test score in the transient LBP developer group was significantly higher than that in the LBP non-developer group (P = .03). Lumbar flexion movement control as the backward rocking test was significantly more common in the transient LBP developer than in the LBP non-developer group (P < .027). Pelvic shifting and asymmetry during side-bending of the trunk were evident in both groups (all P > .05). However, pelvic shifting during side-bending of the trunk was evident only in the LBP group (33%; P = .093).

Conclusion: The group exhibiting transient LBP had higher positive MCI test scores and exhibited more asymmetry than the other group. Even the non-LBP group exhibited poor lumbar flexion and rotation. Therefore, subjects with subclinical dysfunction caused by prolonged sitting may require homogenous subgroups classification for the early detection of mechanical risk factors and health and functional interventions.

Author keywords: Classification, Impairment, Low Back Pain, Sitting Position

Author affiliations: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inje University, Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea

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