The Relationship between Prolonged Sitting Position and Adaptive Alterations in Lumbar Spine and Pelvic Range of Motion in Cyclists with Chronic Low Back Pain

Background: The majority of low back pain (LBP) problems in athletes are the result of stress induced by prolonged postures or repeated movements. Cycling is a sport that needs prolonged trunk flexion during the activity.& para;& para;Objective: To compare sagittal lumbar spine and sagittal pelvic tilt range of motion (ROM) between athletes with CLBP (chronic low back pain) who regularly ride bicycles and healthy controls without regular bicycle riding.& para;& para;Methods: Nineteen cyclists with CLBP and 20 asymptomatic non-cyclist athletes participated in the study, (mean age: 26.00 +/- 8.67 years). Sagittal lumbar spine and sagittal pelvic tilt range of motion (ROM) were measured during forward bending and backward return clinical tests using a three-dimensional motion capture system.& para;& para;Results: During forward bending. cyclists with CLBP demonstrated a limited anterior pelvic tilt angle (p = 0.03), compared to non-cyclists athletes. No significant differences were found in lumbar flexion angle between the groups during the test. During Backward return, cyclists with CLBP exhibited a limited posterior pelvic tilt angle (p = 0.02) and lumbar-extension range = 0.05). compared to non-cyclist athletes.& para;& para;Conclusions: A regular sitting position on the bicycle for a prolonged period may result in adaptations in sagittal lumbar and pelvic ROM which may contribute to the development of LBP.