Lumbar Lordosis and Pelvic Inclination of Asymptomatic Adults

• Published in: Physical therapy Vol. 76; no. 10; pp. 1066 - 1081
• Main Authors: Youdas, James W, Garrett, Tom R, Harmsen, Scott, Suman, Vera J, Carey, James R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Physical Therapy Association 01.10.1996; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Abdominal Muscles - pathology; Abdominal Muscles - physiopathology; Activities of Daily Living; Adult; Aged; Anthropometry; Female; Humans; Injuries; Linear Models; Lordosis - complications; Lordosis - pathology; Lordosis - physiopathology; Low Back Pain - etiology; Lumbar curve; Male; Measurement; Middle Aged; Mobility; Muscles; Muscular system; Pelvic Bones - pathology; Pelvic muscles; Pelvis; Posture; Range of Motion, Articular; Spinal cord; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 0031-9023; 1538-6724
• DOI: 10.1093/ptj/76.10.1066

We examined the association between pelvic inclination and lumbar lordosis during relaxed standing and eight variables thought to contribute to lordosis. Ninety subjects (45 men, 45 women) without back pain or a history of surgery were examined. The mean age was 54.8 years (SD = 8.5) for male subjects and 58.9 years (SD = 8.8) for female subjects. Multiple linear regression modeling was used to assess the association of pelvic inclination and size of lumbar lordosis in a standing position with age, gender, body mass index, physical activity level, back and one-joint hip flexor muscle length, and performance and length of abdominal muscles. Abdominal muscle performance was associated with angle of pelvic inclination for women (R2 = .23), but not for men. Standing lumbar lordosis was associated with abdominal muscle length in women (R2 = .40), but it was multivariately associated with length of abdominal and one-joint hip flexor muscles and physical activity level in men (R2 = .38). No correlation was found between angle of pelvic inclination and depth of lumbar lordosis in a standing position. Neither univariate nor multivariate regression models account for variability in the angle of pelvic inclination or size of lumbar lordosis in adults during upright stance; no correlation was found in standing between these two variables. The use of abdominal muscle strengthening exercises or stretching exercises of the back and one-joint hip flexor muscles to correct faulty standing posture should be questioned.