Trunk muscle function and pelvic alignment associated with the presence of pain in higher education students: a cross-sectional study

Márcio Antônio Dos Santos,Luciana Crepaldi Lunkes,Adriano Rodrigues,Carlos Eduardo Viana Santos

doi:10.1590/1980-5918.032.ao69

Márcio Antônio Dos Santos, Luciana Crepaldi Lunkes + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-5918.032.ao69

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Abstract

Abstract Introduction: The protective role of muscles in the passive structures of the spine means that their stability and consequent maintenance are associated with pain, especially in the region of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex. Objective: To determine the prevalence of pain and its association with muscle deficits in higher education students. Method: Descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study that evaluated 120 university students through questionnaires (sample characterization, Nordic musculoskeletal symptoms, pain visual analogue scale and international physical activity). Trunk muscle strength and bridge tests with unilateral knee extension (pelvic alignment) were performed. Results: A high prevalence of pain was found in the lower back (58.41%). There was no association between the presence of pain, muscle strength and pelvic alignment (p> 0.05). There was an association between the trunk extension and pelvic tilt tests (p = 0.009). Conclusion: A high prevalence of low back pain, poor performance in the trunk muscle endurance tests and mild and moderate pelvic misalignment were identified. There was no association between pain, trunk muscle weakness and pelvic misalignment. There was an association between pelvic misalignment and trunk extensor muscle weakness.

Highlights

The protective role of muscles in the passive structures of the spine means that their stability and consequent maintenance are associated with pain, especially in the region of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex
There was no association between the presence of pain, muscle strength and pelvic
Musculoskeletal pain is highly prevalent in healthy adolescents and young adults, including university students and primarily women, and can persist until the onset of their professional career [1,2,3,4]

Summary

Introduction

The protective role of muscles in the passive structures of the spine means that their stability and consequent maintenance are associated with pain, especially in the region of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex. Objective: To determine the prevalence of pain and its association with muscle deficits in higher education students. The results of most studies reinforce the need for earlier preventive interventions. This is due to an important association between chronic pain and higher disability indices. Due to the transmission of forces from one segment to another, posture may be influenced by the movement of non-adjacent joints, thereby altering certain movement patterns [5]. These changes may be associated with altered muscle activation patterns, involving mechanical and tissue relationships [6]. Despite the absence of convincing evidence to support the general belief that these pains are caused by incorrect posture, a number of interventions and products, including those suggested by health professionals, have been associated with improved or corrected posture aimed at preventing pain [7]

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