130) Does Sedentary Time Impact Pain and Flexibility in College Students

Sedentary activity is a growing concern for college students who spend 8+ hours in sedentary activities and do not meet recommend physical activity guidelines. After sitting, individuals can experience impaired lumbar range of motion (LROM), a major cause of low back pain (LBP). This study aims to quantify the effects of sedentary activity on pain and lumbar and hip flexibility of college students. Healthy students (18-26 years) were recruited for 1 research session. Pre-Sedentary measurements including self-reported pain (Visual Analog Scale [VAS], flexion (F) & extension (E) LROM [Modified-Modified Schober Test, MMST] and hip ROM for extension [EXT], internal rotation [IR], and external rotation [ER]) were measured. Participants sat in a chair at a table for 50 min to simulate a class period. Participants rated pain at the end of sitting and upon initial stand. Post-Sedentary MMST and hip ROM measurements were measured and compared to Pre-Sedentary measurements using paired t-tests ( p p =0.006, R: 17.8±6.0°, p =0.004) but hip IR and ER were unchanged (L IR: pre 32.6±8.0°, post 31.1±5.7°; R IR: pre 33.8±8.5°, post 31.5±6.9°; L ER: pre 28.5±7.4°, post 26.8±5.9°; R ER: pre 28.3±8.1°, post 26.7±6.7°). Sedentary activity does not change pain, lumbar flexion or extension, or hip IR or ER but decreases hip EXT. Sedentary activity (>50 min) may have a greater impact on pain and flexibility but research is necessary along with identifying interventions to break up sedentary time, address hip motion, and prevent potential pain.