This article examines the traditional strength and conditioning recommendation that athletes should maintain a neutral lumbar spine during lifting exercises such as squats and deadlifts. The authors question whether a neutral spine can realistically be maintained and whether avoiding lumbar flexion is necessary to reduce injury risk. Evidence reviewed in the article suggests that experienced lifters demonstrate considerable lumbar flexion during common strength exercises, even when specifically coached to maintain a neutral or lordotic posture. 

The article explores the relationship between spinal posture, tissue loading and injury, noting that evidence directly linking moderate lumbar flexion during lifting with low back pain is limited. While fully flexed positions under heavy loads may present greater risks, submaximal flexion does not necessarily reduce the spine’s tolerance to compressive loading. The authors also highlight the adaptive capacity of spinal structures and suggest that appropriately programmed resistance training may increase the spine’s ability to tolerate load. 

Moderate lumbar flexion may also provide performance advantages by altering lifting mechanics, improving the contribution of the hip and spinal extensor musculature and allowing the load to remain closer to the hip and lumbosacral joints. The authors conclude that coaches should not necessarily regard lumbar flexion as a technical fault. Instead, lifting technique should consider the individual athlete, exercise demands and loading history, while avoiding unnecessarily exhausting the athlete’s full lumbar flexion capacity during heavy lifting.