Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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To explore potential differences in lumbar mobility between older adults with and without chronic low back pain, and to determine if lumbar mobility contributes to physical performance in both groups. We hypothesized that older adults with pain would have greater lumbar mobility impairments than pain-free peers, and that lumbar mobility would be associated with performance in both groups, with stronger relationships among those with pain. ⋯ Older adults with chronic low back pain have more lumbar mobility impairments. Lumbar mobility may be a contributing factor to decreased performance in older adults. Flexion may be most important to performance in those with pain, while extension may be vital in those without pain.