Correlation Between the Severity of Low Back Pain and Sitting Posture Parameters Among Female Bharatanatyam Dancers

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Bharatanatyam, a venerable and highly structured classical dance form from India, requires significant physical strength, postural control, and precise movements. Dancers often begin to training during adolescence, a crucial period of musculoskeletal development. A key posture in Bharatanatyam, the Araimandi (half-sitting position), involves sustained hip and knee flexion with external rotation, which imposes considerable stress on the lumbopelvic complex. Repeatedly practicing this position may lead to compensatory changes, such as increased lumbar lordosis and anterior pelvic tilt, which potentially predispose the dancers to low back pain (LBP). This study aims to examine the relationship between sitting posture and the severity of low back pain in female Bharatanatyam dancers. METHODS: A total of 100 female Bharatanatyam dancers aged 16-35 years were selected through convenience sampling to evaluate their sitting posture using GaitON Software. Low back pain intensity and functional disability were measured using the Visual Analog Scale and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire. RESULTS: Statistical analysis was conducted using R-Studio. Age and BMI showed a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.53). Hip-knee alignment was negatively correlated with trunk-thigh angle (r = -0.66) and knee angle (r = -0.59). A weak positive correlation was found between knee angle and trunk-thigh angle (r = 0.38). The Roland-Morris Disability Score showed no significant relationship with biomechanical or demographic characteristics. The results indicated no significant correlation between low back pain and sitting postural parameters. DISCUSSION: Despite the physical demands and sustained postures involved in Bharatanatyam practice, this study found no significant link between sitting postural parameters and low back pain. This suggests that discomfort in dancers may be more influenced by dynamic performance factors, repetitive loading, and training intensity than by static sitting posture alone. The results highlight the intricate characteristics of low back pain in dancers and the necessity of focusing on movement patterns and muscular endurance in effective rehabilitation approaches.