Prolonged Sitting Posture and Physical Inactivity in Relation to Motion Parameters and Occurrence of Back Pain among Children

Background: Modern society is regarded as a ‘sitting culture’, with a continuous reduction in physical activity. Continuous sitting and lack of physical activity can adversely affect the development of the muscular-skeletal system of the back and the lower limbs, which in turn causes poor posture leading to injury and back pain.

Aims: To examine the connections of prolonged sitting and physical activity parameters in relation to motion parameters, spinal curvatures and back pain.

Methods: Four hundred and thirty-seven pupils were randomly selected. Straight Leg Raising (SLR), Pelvic Rotation (PR), Hip Extension (HE), Lumbar Lordosis (LL), Thoracic Kyphosis (TK) angles and postural deformities were measured. Past complaints of back pain were noted, and physical activity parameters and sitting parameters were recorded.

Results: There was a reduction in the range of all motion parameters as the number of sitting hours increased (P0.05). A significant negative correlation was found between all motion parameters, SLR, PR, HE and the LL angle (P 0.05). With the TK angle only PR and SLR were found significantly correlated (P= 0.05).

Discussion and Conclusion: Better ranges of motion of SLR and PR (P=0.06) and fewer postural deformities (p=0.00) were noted in those involved in physical activity. Both prolonged sitting and excessive physical activity were associated with back pain. This situation will probably become worse in the future, as the amount of sitting hours and inactivity increases with the continually developing modern high technology.