Do individuals who develop transient low back pain exhibit different postural changes than non-pain developers during...

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Human Movement Science
• Ergonomics

Background:

• Prolonged standing can induce transient low back pain (LBP).
• Understanding postural control during standing is crucial for preventing LBP.
• Previous research indicates LBP can develop during extended standing periods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate postural changes in individuals who develop LBP during prolonged standing (PD) versus those who do not (NPD).
• To explore potential gender differences in postural responses to prolonged standing and LBP.
• To determine if postural changes are causative or adaptive to LBP development.

Main Methods:

• Forty-one participants (20 male, 21 female) underwent a 2-hour prolonged standing simulation.
• Participants reported LBP severity using a visual analog scale (VAS).
• Center of pressure (COP) changes (shifts, drifts, fidgets) and body weight (BW) shifts were analyzed.

Main Results:

• All participants increased BW shift frequency and decreased average shift duration over time.
• NPD and female PD groups showed consistent postural patterns.
• Male PD group exhibited distinct patterns, particularly in anterior-posterior (AP) shift amplitude and BW asymmetry.

Conclusions:

• Postural control strategies do not differ between individuals who develop LBP (PD) and those who do not (NPD) during prolonged standing.
• Postural changes are likely an adaptive response to LBP, not a cause.
• Gender differences exist, suggesting targeted interventions for male PD may be beneficial.