Correlation of Prolonged Sitting with Low Back Pain and Level of Function Among University Students

Abstract

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is increasingly prevalent among university students and may contribute to functional limitation and reduced academic performance, with prolonged sitting proposed as a modifiable risk factor. Objective: To assess the association between prolonged sitting duration and low back pain intensity and to evaluate its relationship with functional disability among university students. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the University of Management and Technology, Lahore, using convenience sampling. A total of 120 students aged 20–30 years with acute or chronic LBP were assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Sitting duration was categorized as 5–6, 7–8, and 8–9 hours/day. Descriptive statistics were reported as frequencies and percentages, and Pearson correlation was used to test associations between sitting duration and NPRS and ODI outcomes (p < 0.05). Results: Participants were predominantly female (85.8%), aged 20–25 years (98.3%), and of normal BMI (62.5%). Moderate-to-severe pain was reported by 81.6% of students. Minimal disability was observed in 53.3%, while 46.7% reported ODI ≥21%. Sitting duration showed negligible and non-significant correlations with NPRS (r = 0.014, p = 0.881) and ODI (r = −0.012, p = 0.900). Conclusion: Sitting duration was not significantly associated with pain intensity or disability; however, LBP and disability burden was substantial, suggesting multifactorial determinants beyond sitting duration alone.