Year: 2025 | Month: October-December | Volume: 9 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 36-45
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/gijash.20250406
Association of Occupational Sitting Time and Piriformis Muscle Tightness in Desk Job Professionals
Dr. Shyamli Kulkarni (PT)1, Dr. Riddhi Khatu (PT)2
1Assistant Professor, Community Physiotherapy Department, MAEER's Physiotherapy College, Talegaon Dabhade, Pune.
2Department of Sports Medicine, BKL Walawalkar College of Physiotherapy, Maharashtra.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Shyamli Kulkarni (PT)
ABSTRACT
Prolonged sedentary behavior is linked to musculoskeletal issues such as muscle tightness, reduced joint mobility, and decreased flexibility, all of which can hinder daily functioning. Office-based workers are particularly at risk due to extended sitting durations, often resulting in adaptive shortening of hip muscles. The piriformis muscle, when tight, contributes to low back pain (LBP), accounting for approximately 6.5% of cases. This study aimed to investigate the association between piriformis muscle tightness and occupational sitting duration among desk job workers.
Objectives:1. To assess piriformis muscle tightness using the Piriformis Test. 2. To examine the association between right and left piriformis tightness and sitting duration.
Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 69 desk job workers selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. After informed consent and demographic data collection, piriformis muscle tightness was assessed using the Piriformis Test. Participants were categorized based on daily sitting duration: 4–6 hours, 7–9 hours, and 10–12 hours. Point biserial correlation was used to analyze the relationship between sitting time and piriformis tightness.
Results: Of the 69 participants, 20 sat for 4–6 hours, 46 for 7–9 hours, and 3 for 10–12 hours daily. A weak but statistically significant positive correlation was found between sitting duration and right piriformis tightness (r = 0.285, p = 0.018) as well as left piriformis tightness (r = 0.315, p = 0.008).
Conclusion: Longer sitting durations are significantly associated with increased piriformis muscle tightness among desk job workers.
Implications: Workplace health strategies—including posture education, ergonomic setups, and regular stretching—are essential to reduce piriformis-related discomfort and prevent associated LBP in sedentary professionals.
Keywords: Piriformis tightness, occupational siting, low back pain.
[PDF Full Text]