Factors associated with low back pain in workers: the influence of anthropometric measures, abdominal endurance and hip flexibility

Study aim: to compare the physical fitness of bus drivers and fare collectors (working hours per day in sitting position = 7h) with and without low back pain. The subjects consisted of sixty-six bus drivers and fare collectors working in a public transport company.

Material and methods: the prevalence of low back pain, age and working time was determined for bus drivers and fare collectors using a questionnaire. All subjects underwent anthropometric assessment (weight, height and waist circumference), an abdominal endurance test and a hip flexibility test.

Results: there was a significant difference between the low back pain group (n = 27) and the group without pain (n = 39) in body mass index (27.5 ± 3.9 kg · m^–2 vs. 25.6 ± 4.0 kg · m^–2), waist circumference (92.5 ± 10 cm vs. 85.9 ± 9 cm), the abdominal endurance test (28.9 ± 17.5 repetitions vs. 38.4 ± 19.2 repetitions) and the hip flexibility test (69.1 ± 14.4 degrees vs. 78.3 ± 16.9 degrees). There was no significant difference in age and working time.

Conclusion: anthropometric measures, abdominal endurance and hip flexibility are deficient in bus drivers and fare collectors with low back pain. We suggest that workers with prevalent low back pain increase their physical fitness.