Trunk and lower-limb musculoskeletal function in individuals with chronic low back pain: A cross-sectional study

Low back pain (LBP) is a public health challenge that encompasses biological, psychological, and social factors. Changes in mobility, flexibility of the posterior chain and lower limbs, as well as the endurance of trunk muscles, are important factors to be studied in understanding LBP. This study aimed to evaluate the musculoskeletal function of the trunk and lower limbs in individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and investigate its relationship with sex and age. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: University-based laboratory. Participants: Male and female participants aged between 18 and 80 years were analyzed. Outcome Measures: Pain, functional disability, lumbar range of motion (ROM), trunk and lower limb flexibility (TLF), hamstring flexibility (HF), lumbar flexion mobility (LFM), spinal mobility (SM), abdominal endurance (AE), and lower-limb functional performance were assessed. Results: A total of 318 individuals were evaluated, including 129 men and 189 women, with a mean age of 36.58±15.53 years. Decreased TLF, SM, and lower-limb functional performance were observed in both sexes, regardless of age. Women showed greater trunk rotation and lateral flexion ROM and hamstring flexibility than men (p<0.05), but lower AE and lower-limb functional performance (p<0.05). The correlation between musculoskeletal tests and pain intensity was weak. Conclusion: Individuals with CLBP presented reduced flexibility, thoracolumbar mobility, abdominal endurance, and lower-limb functional performance, with relatively small differences between men and women.