Evaluation of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis among vdt workers and kitchen workers

Abstract

Kyphosis and Lordosis are the outward and inward curvatures of thoracic and lumbar regions of the human spine. Symptoms may include back pain, muscle fatigue, and stiffness in the back; may increase the risk of disk degeneration and injury to spinal ligaments which would affect the basic activities of daily living. In this study, 30 women were selected comprising of ten kitchen workers, 20 VDT workers inclusive of teachers and students who were above 20 years of age and using desktops and laptops for their regular work. Height in upright position with an anthropometric scale and the weight of all workers by using a weighing machine was recorded. Teachers were found to have highest mean age with a standard deviation of 35.7+9.2 followed by kitchen workers (34.6+6.8) and Students (21.4+1.3). BMI was found to be highest in teachers (26.3+3.5) and normal BMI was found in students (21.02+1.9) and kitchen workers (23.6+5.1). When the degree of kyphosis and lordosis was compared by age, highest mean was found in the age group of 33-45 years. The kyposis and lordosis index when compared among VDT workers and kitchen workers, it was found to be higher in kitchen workers due to their strenuous activities. This followed by teachers with a higher range of kyposis and lordosis shown their prolonged sitting posture at work being the causative factor.