Effect of age and sex on lumbar lordosis and the range of motion. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract

Lumbar lordosis (LL) and the range of motion (RoM) are important physiological measurements when initiating any diagnosis and treatment plan for patients with low back pain. Numerous studies reported differences in LL and the RoM due to age and sex. However, these findings remain contradictory. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to synthesize mean values and the differences in LL and the RoM because of age and sex. The quality assessment tool for quantitative studies was applied to assess the methodological quality of the studies included. We identified 2372 papers through electronic (2309) and physical (63) searches. We assessed 218 full-text studies reporting measurements of LL or the RoM. In total, 65 studies were included, and a normative database for LL and the RoM is provided as supplementary material. Among these, 11 were included in the meta-analysis. LL and the RoM displayed non-monotonic variations with significant age and sex differences. Young females showed a significantly greater LL and the range of extension (RoE), whereas young males exhibited a greater range of flexion (RoF). Sex differences in the range of lateral bending (RoLB) were small but were significant for the axial rotation (RoAR). For the RoF, RoE and RoLB, differences because of age were significant among most of the age groups in both sexes, whereas for the RoAR, differences were significant only between the 20s vs the 30s-40s (males) and 40s vs 50s (females). Significant differences because of age/sex were identified. However, the age-dependent reduction in LL and the RoM was non-monotonic and differed in both sexes. These findings will help to better distinguish between functional deficits caused by spinal disorders and natural factors/conditions related to age and sex.