(From Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week, May 9, 2009 p1387)

According to recent research from the United States, "Compared to standing posture, sitting decreases lumbar lordosis, increases low back muscle activity, disc pressure, and pressure on the ischium, which are associated with occupational LBP. A sitting device that reduces spinal load and low back muscle activities may help increase sitting comfort and reduce LBP risk."

"The objective of this study is to investigate the biomechanical effect of sitting with a reduced ischial support and an enhanced lumbar support (Off-Loading) on load, interface pressure and muscle activities. A laboratory test in low back pain (LBP) and asymptomatic subjects was designed to test the biomechanical effect of using the Off-Loading sitting posture. The load and interface pressure on seat and the backrest, and back muscle activities associated with usual and this Off-Loading posture were recorded and compared between the two postures. Compared with Normal (sitting upright with full support of the seat and flat backrest) posture, sitting in Off-Loading posture significantly shifted the center of the force and the peak pressure on the seat anteriorly towards the thighs. It also significantly decreased the contact area on the seat and increased that on the backrest. It decreased the lumbar muscle activities significantly. These effects are similar in individuals with and without LBP," wrote M. Makhsous and colleagues, Northwestern University (see also Lower Back Pain).

The researchers concluded: "Sitting with reduced ischial support and enhanced lumbar support resulted in reduced sitting load on the lumbar spine and reduced the lumbar muscular activity, which may potentially reduce sitting-related LBP."

Makhsous and colleagues published their study in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (Biomechanical effects of sitting with adjustable ischial and lumbar support on occupational low back pain: evaluation of sitting load and back muscle activity. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2009, 10(1):17).

For additional information, contact M. Makhsous, Northwestern University, Dept. of Physics Therapy &Human Movement Science, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.

Publisher contact information for the journal BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders is: Biomedical Central Ltd., Current Science Group, Middlesex House, 34-42 Cleveland St., London W1T 4LB, England.

This article was prepared by Obesity, Fitness &Wellness Week editors from staff and other reports.

Here are the recording MP3 file for this article and the paper “Biomechanical effects of sitting with adjustable ischial and lumbar support on occupational low back pain: evaluation of sitting load and back muscle activity” they wrote to be published February this year.