Low back pain in athletes

BACKGROUND: Rowing-related low back disorders may occur from inconsistent technique, high trunk flexion and training volumes, overactivation of paraspinal muscles, and fatigue. OBJECTIVE: To examine if kinesiology tape (KT) affixed to the trunk dorsum affects muscular co-activation and neuromuscular control to limit dangerous rowing movements and associated injuries. METHODS: Participants (n= 18) completed two 2000 m rowing trials under BASELINE and KT conditions...

BACKGROUND: Several systematic reviews (SRs), with and without meta-analyses, have investigated the use of wearable devices to improve physical activity, and there is a need for frequent and updated syntheses on the topic. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate whether using wearable devices increased physical activity and reduced sedentary behaviour in adults. METHODS: We conducted an umbrella review searching PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the Cochrane Library, MedRxiv, Rxiv and bioRxiv databases up to February 5th, 2023...

CONTEXT: Running is one of the most popular sports worldwide. However, controversies exist regarding how running affects runner's intervertebral discs (IVD). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to systematically review studies that evaluated IVD morphology or composition changes in response to running exercise, to determine the impact of running exercise on IVD. DATA SOURCES: A systematic literature search was performed for 4 major databases: PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science...

BACKGROUND: In deep gluteal syndrome (DGS), the piriformis muscle could impinge the sciatic nerve. The FAIR (flexion adduction internal rotation) test is a provocation test used to identify sciatic nerve irritation caused by this muscle. Compression and stretching exercises are usually prescribed to treat this syndrome. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of these two treatments on surface electromyography (sEMG) of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior in patients with low back pain (LBP) and DGS...

OBJECTIVES: The relationship between exercise training variables and clinical outcomes in low back pain (LBP) is unclear. The current study aimed to explore the relationship between exercise training parameters and pain intensity in individuals with chronic LBP. METHODS: This study is a secondary analysis of a previously reported randomised controlled trial comparing the effects of general strength and conditioning to motor control exercises and manual therapy. This secondary analysis includes adults with chronic LBP (n=20) randomised to the general strength and conditioning programme only...

BACKGROUND: Many professional baseball players experience low back pain, a major cause of which is lumbar facet joint arthropathy. PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between the dominant hand side and facet joint morphology in baseball movement. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Participants were 25 Japanese professional baseball players (11 pitchers and 14 fielders) with low back pain and lower limb symptoms...

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the utilization of health team practitioners among national-level athletes and report their injury profile as well as access to and knowledge of chiropractic care. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of non-identifiable, cross-sectional survey data that were previously collected from members of the AthletesCAN organization who voluntarily completed a web-based, bilingual survey in July or August 2017...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of low back pain (LBP) in adult professional soccer players. METHODS: Systematic review and meta-analysis. RESULTS: The review included 44 studies. The pooled prevalence of LBP during ≤ 1 season was 1% (95%CI = 0-4%) in men. The pooled point prevalence of LBP was 25% (95%CI = 16-36%) in men and 28% (95%CI = 20-37%) in women. The pooled past-year prevalence of LBP was 34% (95%CI = 24-44%) in men...

BACKGROUND: In the working environment of modern society, a poor sitting posture for a prolonged time may lead to abnormal spinal alignment such as thoracic kyphosis (TK). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of taping for posture correction of patients with TK, providing theoretical and empirical guidance for clinicians attempting to rectify TK posture. METHODS: The study included 15 subjects aged 30-60 years, all with a TK angle of ⩾ 40∘...

OBJECTIVES: To measure lumbopelvic movement control in powerlifters with and without low back pain (LBP). DESIGN: Quantitative Cross-sectional. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve powerlifters with LBP and 28 powerlifters without LBP. SETTING: Powerlifters were recruited in nine different cities and filmed while performing a movement control test battery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Lumbopelvic movement control test battery consisting of seven tests, with a possible score between 0 and 13...

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the associations of reallocating time between moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA), light-intensity physical activity (LPA), sedentary behaviour (SB) and sleep with occurrence, frequency and intensity of low back pain (LBP) among adults using compositional isotemporal substitution analysis. METHODS: A total of 2333 participants from the general adult population completed the Daily Activity Behaviours Questionnaire asking about their time-use composition consisting of sleep, SB, LPA and MVPA, and they self-reported their frequency and intensity of LBP in the past year...

INTRODUCTION: Pedicle stress fractures are an uncommon type of non-union often associated with contralateral neural arch interruption in young, active patients. Patients present with long-lasting low back pain, and the diagnosis is usually delayed. Treatment is generally conservative. Few cases treated surgically are described in the literature, with a high degree of treatment heterogeneity and no consensus on optimal treatment. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 24-year-old male, following a sports-related trauma, developed persistent lower back pain...

BACKGROUND: Lumbar disk herniation (LDH) is a cause of chronic low back pain (CLBP) treated using physical therapy (PT), including exercise and physical modalities such as ultrasound (US) and short wave diathermy (SWD). Despite the use of US and SWD, there is inconclusive evidence on their efficacy. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of US and SWD in the treatment of CLBP in patients with LDH. METHODS: A prospective randomized control clinical study...

Postpartum mothers are susceptible to lumbopelvic pain which may be exacerbated by loading, like carrying their infant in arms and with baby carriers. Nulliparous women carrying infant mannequins may biomechanically mimic mother-infant dyad, but this has not been studied. The purpose of our study was to investigate biomechanical differences of 10 mothers carrying their infants and 10 nulliparous women carrying infant mannequins under 3 gait conditions: carrying nothing, carrying in arms, and carrying in a baby carrier (babywearing)...

Adult elite rowers are at risk of developing low back pain (LBP). However, LBP data on adolescent elite rowers is currently insufficient. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess LBP prevalence, LBP intensity and training characteristics in male adolescent elite rowers and a healthy control group. Twenty rowers (mean age 15.8 ± 1.2 years) and a non-athletic control group matched by age and gender ( n  = 13) were prospectively enrolled and underwent LBP assessment with a validated questionnaire and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar spine muscles, which included a T2-mapping sequence...

BACKGROUND: The study was carried out in the athletes with and without Low Back Pain (LBP) to determine the surface electromyography activity of core stabilizing muscles while performing isometric shoulder and trunk contractions. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: This study enlisted the participation of 40 athletes. Group A included 20 athletes (18 males and 2 females) without LBP, and Group B included 20 athletes (12 males and 8 females) with LBP...

INTRODUCTION: Core stabilization is a vital concept in clinical rehabilitation (including low back pain rehabilitation) and competitive athletic training. The core comprises of a complex network of hip, trunk and neck muscles including the diaphragm. AIMS: The paper aims to discuss the role of the diaphragm in core stability, summarize current evidence and put forth ideal core training strategies involving the diaphragm. METHOD: Narrative review RESULTS: The diaphragm has a dual role of respiration and postural control...

BACKGROUND: Low back pain is common among athletes and it has been shown that postural control is altered in the general population with nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP). Psychological factors may also predispose individuals to risk of altered postural control. Dynamic postural control is essential to the performance of athletes. This study aimed to compare the dynamic postural control between women athletes with and without NSLBP with high and low pain-related anxiety. METHODS: Forty-five female athletes (15 NSLBP with high pain-related anxiety, 15 NSLBP with low pain-related anxiety, and 15 healthy (control)) were included...

The study compared superficial trunk muscle activity and postural control among an active extension subgroup of people with nonspecific chronic low back pain (AE-NSCLBP) with painfree controls during functional tasks. Thirty-two people (17 people with low back pain [LBP] and 15 painfree controls) participated in this study. Muscle activity of 5 trunk muscles and postural control were investigated during both standing tasks (eyes open/closed; single/double-leg balance) and dynamic functional tasks (spinal forward flexion and return, and a sit to stand transfer)...

BACKGROUND: Lumbar spondylolysis (LS) is a lumbar vertebral arch stress fracture that often occurs in adolescent athletes, especially baseball players. An increase in lumbar lordosis angle (LLA) increases the compressive stress on the vertebral arch, influencing the development of LS. However, the effect of LLA on LS development in adolescent baseball players is unknown. Therefore, it is necessary to elucidate the risk factors that influence the development of LS. This cross-sectional study aimed investigate the effect of LLA on LS development in adolescent baseball players...