Publication Date

12-1-2007

Degree Program

Department of Kinesiology, Recreation and Sport

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

Study Design. Cross-sectional survey among athletes competing at the collegiate level in basketball, swimming, and track and field, as well as a matched nonathletic control group. Objective. To compare the prevalence of low back pain between sports: basketball, swimming, and track and field, as well as nonathletic control group. Summary of Background Data. With conflicting reports, it is not clear whether athletes are at higher risk for low back pain when compared to nonathletic counterparts. Some literature has found that low back pain was less common in former elite athletes when compared to nonathletes; however, much of the literature supports that athletes experience more low back pain. Methods. Self-reported questionnaire on low back pain adapted for sports based on the Nordic questionnaires for musculoskeletal symptoms. Responders were 10 basketball players, 57 swimmers, 47 track and field athletes and 382 controls. Results. The main findings of the current study support previous literature displaying a greater prevalence of low back experienced in athletes when compared to age-and-sex matched controls. This study found a significant relationship of reported low back pain as age and weight increased. Conclusions. Athletes have a greater prevalence of low back pain when compared to their less athletic peers. A larger sample size could suggest a significant relationship between the prevalence of low back pain and training volume, training season and sport.

Disciplines

Kinesiology | Sports Sciences

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