Effect of BMI on Tightness of Iliopsoas Muscle in Students due to Prolonged Sitting for Online Classes during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: Muscle tightness is produced by a reduction in a muscle’s capacity to deform. As a result of prolong sitting, pelvic position can be changed which can lead to iliopsoas tightness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, as a result of online classes, student’s hours of sitting have increased drastically. Aim: To compare iliopsoas muscle tightness in students who were engaged in prolonged sitting due to online classes with higher Body Mass Index (BMI) and students with normal BMI. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Department of Physiotherapy at Institute of Applied Medicine and Research, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, from April 2021 to January 2022 on 101 students (59 females and 42 males). Height and weight of the subjects were measured by the ruler and digital weighing machine respectively for the BMI calculation. Two groups were made, group with normal BMI students and group with High BMI students. Using modified Thomas test, iliopsoas muscle was measured for the flexibility. Independent sample t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Total 51 students were with normal BMI and 50 were with higher BMI were included in the study. The mean age of the subjects was 19.59 years including 59 females and 42 males. The significantly increased Modified Thomas Test (MTT) angle was found in students with higher BMI when compared to students with normal BMI for both right (p-value=0.003) and left side (p-value <0.001). Iliopsoas muscle tightness was present in more in higher BMI group as compared to normal BMI group. Conclusion: The study concluded that both the groups had the iliopsoas muscle tightness but the students with higher BMI had more muscle tightness.

Keywords

• coronavirus disease 2019
• flexibility
• modified thomas test
• online classes
• sedentary lifestyle
• universal goniometer