Document Type : Original article
Authors
1
Corrective Exercises and Sports Injury Department, and Faculty of Physical Education & sport sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
2
Assistant Professor, Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercise PHD, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
10.22037/sjrm.2026.117585.3462
Abstract
Background and Aims: Individuals with non-specific chronic low back pain appear to present with core stability muscle weakness, disability, motor function deficits, and decreased quality of life. Accordingly, the present study aims to investigate the relationship between sagittal lumbar spine curvature and postural control as well as functional status in individuals with non-specific chronic low back pain.
Materials and Methods: This research was conducted as a correlational study on individuals aged 30 to 50 years with non-specific chronic low back pain. Participants were selected using purposive and convenience sampling methods. In this study, to assess lumbar lordosis angle, postural control, core endurance, functional disability, functional capacity, and range of motion, the following tools were used respectively: a flexible ruler, the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), the McGill protocol, the Oswestry Disability Index, the floor-to-waist lifting test, and functional range of motion tests. For data analysis, the non-parametric Spearman correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationships between the research variables at a significance level of p < 0.05. Statistical calculations and graphing were performed using SPSS software version 27 and Excel 2019.
Results: The results of the Spearman correlation test showed that there was no significant relationship between sagittal curvature of the lumbar spine and disability and functional capacity in individuals with non-specific chronic low back pain (p > 0.05). However, the results revealed significant relationships between sagittal curvature of the lumbar spine and the following variables: postural control on a stable surface (p = 0.02, R = 0.69) and on an unstable surface (p = 0.03, R = 0.49); endurance of the trunk flexor muscles (p = 0.001, R = -0.62); trunk extensor endurance (p = 0.02, R = -0.49); right lateral flexor endurance (p = 0.03, R = -0.51); left lateral flexor endurance (p = 0.03, R = -0.47); overall core stability score (p = 0.02, R = -0.53); range of motion of lumbar flexion (p = 0.01, R = -0.67); and lumbar extension range of motion (p = 0.001, R = -0.69).
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the degree of sagittal curvature of the lumbar spine is not significantly associated with disability or functional capacity indicators. However, this curvature shows significant relationships with factors such as postural control, core muscle strength and stability, and joint range of motion. Therefore, although changes in lumbar curvature do not necessarily lead to functional decline or disability, they can negatively affect an individual's balance, core stability, and flexibility. Clinically, this finding suggests that interventions aimed at improving postural control and core muscle strength may be beneficial for individuals with abnormal lumbar curvature, even in the absence of overt disability.
Keywords: Chronic non-specific low back pain, lumbar curvature, core muscle endurance, functional status, postural control.
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