Comparison of Core Muscles Endurance in Sited Occupied Staff and Non-sited Occupied Staff of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Objective Core muscle dysfunction might serve as a risk factor for future musculoskeletal dysfunctions considering the high percentages of adults employed in mainly sedentary occupations in Iran, there is a need to clarify the strength of evidence on the potentially deleterious impact of prolonged sitting at work on the biomechanics of core/trunk muscles. This study aims to evaluate trunk/core muscle endurance in employees of seated and non-seated jobs in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Method A total number of 100 employees of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS) were studied in 2 groups, seated jobs (n=50) and non-seated jobs (n=50). Seated jobs (office employees) defined as the jobs’ nature requiring the employees to sit more than half of their work time in a day, whereas non-seated jobs were those requiring less than half a workday to sit. Trunk endurance time measured by the 4 different stabilization tests including McGill’s trunk flexor endurance test, Sorenson’s trunk extensor endurance test and right and left trunk lateral flexor endurance test (Side-Bridge test). Results Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software version 21 (SPSS, Chicago, IL) Independent t test was used individuals in non-seated group had a statistically significant higher trunk endurance time for all 4 static tests (all P-values<0.001). Conclusion Prolonged occupational sitting is associated with reduced core muscle endurance. It may cause relationship between weakened core/trunk muscles and development of specific occupational musculoskeletal dysfunctions such as low back pain.