Table 2

Comparisons between upper lumbar and lower lumbar spine static and peak angles across postures and tasks.

Posture/Activity
ULx angle (°)
LLx angle (°)
p-value
p-value adjusted for BMI
ULx/LLx correlation (p-value)

Usual sitting
4.1 ± 8.8
-1.3 ± 8.8
< 0.001
0.497
0.036 (0.638)
Usual standing
23.4 ± 11.2
15.5 ± 9.6
< 0.001
0.016
- 0.505 (< 0.001)
Slump sitting
1.6 ± 9.1
-8.6 ± 6.1
< 0.001
0.770
- 0.111 (0.151)
Sway standing
31.2 ± 13.6
17.4 ± 11.9
< 0.001
0.576
- 0.58 (< 0.001)
Maximal flexion
11.8 ± 6.8
15.4 ± 5.9
< 0.001
0.026
- 0.062 (0.426)
Maximal extension
44.1 ± 19.9
25.8 ± 16.0
< 0.001
0.183
- 0.509 (< 0.001)
Pick up pen
-8.1 ± 7.2
-12.5 ± 6.3
< 0.001
0.015
0.197 (0.012)
Pick up box
-5.3 ± 8.3
-8.5 ± 8.5
< 0.001
0.108
0.274 (< 0.001)
Transfer pillow
3.5 ± 8.5
-4.7 ± 8.3
< 0.001
0.013
- 0.017 (0.825)
Transfer box
8.4 ± 8.9
1.7 ± 8.4
< 0.001
0.031
- 0.147 (0.062)
Squat
-3.2 ± 9.0
-2.9 ± 9.6
0.866
0.968
0.346 (< 0.001)

Repeated measures ANCOVA and correlations adjusted for BMI.

LLx = Lower Lumbar, ULx = Upper Lumbar, BMI = Body Mass Index, Negative value = relative flexion (kyphosis) of lumbar spine.

Mitchell et al. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2008 9:152   doi:10.1186/1471-2474-9-152