Physical Activity, Sedentary Lifestyle, and Lumbar Flexibility in Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

ORIGINAL ARTICLE Volume 13, Number 1 (2025), Page 48-53 P-ISSN 2303-1921, E-ISSN 2722-0443 Physical Activity, Sedentary Lifestyle, and Lumbar Flexibility in Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study Nabilla Yasmin1*, Wahyu Tri Sudaryanto2 1,2Physiotherapy Study Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Surakarta, Central Java. *Correspondence: Submitted: 27 January 2024 | Accepted: 31 January 2024 | Published: 2 February 2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24843/mifi.2025.v13.i01.p09 Abstract Introduction: Lumbar flexibility is crucial in maintaining good posture, supporting daily activities, and preventing musculoskeletal disorders. However, the rising prevalence of sedentary lifestyles among students, characterized by prolonged sitting and minimal physical activity, may negatively impact lumbar flexibility. This study analyzes the relationship between physical activity and sedentary lifestyle on lumbar flexibility in young adults. Methods: This research is a cross-sectional study involving a sample of 154 individuals selected based on inclusion criteria. Data were collected using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A), Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ), and Modified Schober Test. Data analysis was performed using Spearman correlation tests. Results: The analysis of the relationship between physical activity and lumbar flexibility showed a correlation coefficient of r = 0.036 with a p-value of 0.661, indicating a very weak relationship. Meanwhile, the relationship between sedentary lifestyle and lumbar flexibility had a correlation coefficient of r = -0.123 with a p-value of 0.130, indicating a weak negative correlation. Conclusion: Physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle are related to lumbar flexibility, although the strength of this relationship is very weak. These results suggest further investigation to understand other factors contributing to lumbar flexibility in young adults. Keywords: Physical Activity, Sedentary Lifestyle, Lumbar Flexibility Introduction Sedentary behaviour and a lack of physical activity are significant concerns among students, including physiotherapy students, who experience high screen time and prolonged sitting due to their demanding academic schedules. Data from the Basic Health Research (Riset Kesehatan Dasar) in 2018 indicate an increase in the prevalence of insufficient physical activity in Indonesia, rising from 26.1% in 2013 to 33.5% in 2018. 1,2. The WHO also reports that a lack of physical activity is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, contributing to 6% of all mortality cases.3 The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia defines sedentary behavior as activities with low energy expenditure, typically below 1.5 metabolic equivalents (METs).4 Students with low levels of physical activity tend to experience muscle imbalance in the trunk and impaired respiratory function. 5 Lifestyle changes and psychosocial factors upon entering university often lead to a decrease in physical activity, increasing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, obesity, and postural issues. 6,7 Lumbar flexibility is crucial in daily activities such as bending, twisting the body, and lifting loads.7 The elements that contribute to flexibility include muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joint structures.8 A lack of physical activity can lead to muscle stiffness and connective tissue rigidity in the joints due to muscle shortening or atrophy from infrequent active use.9 As a result, individuals with low lumbar flexibility are at risk of experiencing postural disorders and lower back pain.10 Also, low flexibility increases the risk of muscle, ligament, or other soft tissue injuries due to strains exceeding their elastic limits.11 Physiotherapy students, who spend much time sitting in class, completing assignments, and participating in practical sessions, often prefer passive activities such as lying down or using elevators over engaging in physical activity.12 These habits can exacerbate lumbar flexibility and increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. 13 In an academic environment, physiotherapy students often spend hours attending lectures, completing assignments, and participating in practical sessions, which prolongs their sedentary behavior. Coupled with using facilities such as elevators that reduce opportunities for active movement, this situation can further exacerbate lumbar flexibility. Therefore, exploring how physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle are related to lumbar flexibility among students is essential. This study analyzes the relationship between physical activity and sedentary lifestyle on lumbar flexibility among the 2021 cohort of physiotherapy students at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta. Specifically, this research will test whether there is a positive relationship between physical activity and lumbar flexibility and a negative relationship between sedentary lifestyle and lumbar flexibility. Thus, the results of this study are expected to provide deeper insights Majalah Ilmiah Fisioterapi Indonesia, Volume 13, Number 1 (2025), Page 48-53, Open Access Journal: https://ojs.unud.ac.id/index.php/mifi |48| into the impact of sedentary behavior on students and serve as a basis for interventions or programs aimed at increasing physical activity within the academic environment. This research assumes that levels of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle influence lumbar flexibility among students. Specifically, this study hypothesizes that higher physical activity levels correlate with better lumbar flexibility. Conversely, a sedentary lifestyle characterized by prolonged sitting and minimal physical activity is anticipated to hurt lumbar flexibility. Therefore, this study seeks to demonstrate a positive relationship between physical activity and lumbar flexibility and a negative relationship between a sedentary lifestyle and lumbar flexibility among the 2021 cohort of physiotherapy students at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta. Methods This study is analytical observational research using a cross-sectional approach. This design was chosen because it allows the researcher to measure the relationships between physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, and lumbar flexibility within a single period without intervention. This design is suitable for exploring correlations among variables in a specific population with efficiency in time and resources. The independent variables in this study are physical activity and sedentary lifestyle, while the dependent variable is lumbar flexibility. This study was reviewed by the Health Research Ethics Commission (KEP-K) of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta. It was approved with ethical eligibility No. 761/KEPKFIK/XII/2024. The research was conducted on the campus of Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, with data collection in December 2024. Data were gathered in classrooms and physiotherapy labor (...truncated)