Relationship between Flexibility and Somatotype with Lumbar Lordosis in Young Girls

  Today, considering the mechanical life, sitting behind the table and doing harmful movements make susceptible people prone to musculoskeletal abnormalities, the reason for which is remained unclear. The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between flexibility and somatotype with abnormal lumbar lordosis among female students. A total of 92 female students of Ahvaz Islamic Azad University participated in the study. Research variables included the degree of lumbar lordosis measured using 30-cm flexible ruler and forward bending test using Youdas and Rate of flexibility method. Somatotype (endomorph, mesomorph, and ectomorph) was calculated using Heath and Carter somatotype method. The data were analyzed using Spearman, correlation, and multiple regression with the significance level set at α= 0.05. The results showed that there was no significant relationship between flexibility and lumbar lordosis (r=-0.11, p=0.3), but there was a significant negative relationship between endomorph and lumbar lordosis (r=-0.40 and p=0.0001). There was a positive relationship between mesomorph somatotype (r=0.18, p =0.09) as well as the ectomorph somatotype (r=0.07, p=0.48) and lumbar lordosis. Regression of predicted lumbar lordosis using variables of the flexibility and somatotype was significant only for endomorphy and mesomorphy components (f=4.35and p=0.003). According to the results and the possibility of predicting lordosis changes using somatotype components, it seems that physical conditions of the individual should be considered prior to any intervention in spinal abnormalities.