Comparison of the Anterior Pelvic Tilting Angle during Forward Bending in Individuals with and without Sciatic Nerve Tension

Comparison of the Anterior Pelvic Tilting Angle during Forward Bending in Individuals with and without Sciatic Nerve Tension

Background Lumbopelvic rhythm can be affected by several factors, such as stiffness of the hip joint, hamstring, and ankle, and sciatic nerve tension. Currently, no reports indicating that sciatic nerve tension affects the anterior pelvic tilting angle during forward bending are available. Purpose This study aimed to compare the anterior pelvic tilting angle during forward bending in subjects with and without sciatic nerve tension. Study design Cross-sectional comparative study. Methods Eighty-eight subjects were screened and classified into two groups, namely subjects with (12 subjects) and without (12 subjects) sciatic nerve tension. Sciatic nerve tension was measured by the knee extension angle recorded in the seated position with ankle dorsiflexion using the Smart KEMA motion sensor. The mean±standard deviation of the knee extension angle with ankle dorsiflexion in our study population was 66.8±11.8°. The standard deviation was used to define the group with sciatic nerve tension (<55°) and without sciatic nerve tension (>79°). The Smart KEMA motion sensor was placed on the second spinous process of the sacrum to measure the anterior pelvic tilting angle during forward bending. Results The mean values of the knee extension angle with ankle dorsiflexion were 46.6° and 82.9° for the groups with and without sciatic nerve tension, respectively. The mean values of the anterior pelvic tilting angle measured during the forward bending test were 36.7° and 46.5° in the groups with and without sciatic nerve tension, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the anterior pelvic tilting angle between the groups with and without sciatic nerve tension (p<0.05). Conclusions The results of this study suggest that sciatic nerve tension can affect the anterior pelvic tilting angle during forward bending. Further studies are needed to determine whether exercise for decreasing sciatic nerve tension can increase the anterior pelvic tilting angle during forward bending.