Is Hip Muscle Flexibility Associated with Low Back Pain Among First-Year Undergraduate Students?

Background/Objectives: Hip muscle lengthening is commonly associated with the normal function of the lumbar spine and lower extremities. Some evidence correlates hamstring and iliopsoas tightness with low back pain (LBP). Undergraduates are more prone to LBP as they are involved in prolonged sitting and poor posture. This study aims to assess the impact of hip muscle lengthening on LBP. Methods: This article involves a descriptive study of 70 students who were recruited from Zefat Academic College. Measurement of hamstrings and iliopsoas muscle lengthening, as well as a constructive questionnaire, were used. Results: The majority of participants (80% for hamstrings and 96% for iliopsoas) manifested normal muscle lengthening. Muscle flexibility was significantly higher among females. Logistic regression analyses revealed that hamstring lengthening (right) and stress-related study are significantly associated with LBP. Conclusions: The current study indicates that muscle length is female-dependent and right-left muscle length is symmetrical. Increased hamstring length could be related to LBP.