The Prevalence of Low Back Pain Among Former Elite Cross-Country Skiers, Rowers, Orienteerers, and Nonathletes

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
pp. 2610-2616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ida Stange Foss ◽  
Ingar Holme ◽  
Roald Bahr

Background: Some cross-sectional studies have suggested that the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) may be high among endurance athletes with repetitive back loading, but there are no large, prospective cohort studies addressing this issue. Purpose: To compare the prevalence of symptoms of low back pain (LBP) among former endurance athletes with different loading characteristics on the lumbar region: cross-country skiing (flexion loading), rowing (extension loading), and orienteering (no specific loading), as well as a nonathletic control group. Study design: Cohort study; level of evidence, 2. Methods: Self-reported questionnaire on LBP adapted for sports based on standardized Nordic questionnaires for musculoskeletal symptoms. Responders were 173 rowers, 209 orienteerers, 242 cross-country skiers, and 116 control subjects (88% of the original cohort). Results: There were no group differences between the athletic groups and the control group with regard to the 2 main outcomes: reported LBP the previous 12 months ( P = .66) and frequent LBP the past year (>30 days with LBP) ( P = .14). More rowers than orienteerers reported frequent LBP the past year (adjusted OR = 2.32; CI, 1.02-5.28). Occupational changes due to LBP were reported more often by rowers (13%) than skiers (7%) and orienteerers (3%) ( P = .002). More rowers and skiers reported having received outpatient medical assistance than orienteerers or controls. A training volume >550 h/y was a risk factor for reporting LBP during the previous 12 months compared with a training volume <200 h/y (adjusted OR = 2.51; CI, 1.26-5.02). A previous episode with LBP was associated with LBP later in life (adjusted OR = 3.02; CI, 2.22-4.10). Conclusion: Low back pain was not more common among former endurance athletes with specific back loading compared with non-athletes. The results indicate that years of prolonged and repetitive flexion or extension loading in endurance sports does not lead to more LBP. However, a large training volume in the past year and previous episodes with LBP are risk factors for LBP. Comparing the sports of rowing, cross-country skiing, and orienteering, it appears that whereas orienteering is protective, rowing can provoke LBP.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomomi Anan ◽  
Shigeyuki Kajiki ◽  
Hiroyuki Oka ◽  
Tomoko Fujii ◽  
Kayo Kawamata ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Musculoskeletal symptoms, such as neck and shoulder pain and stiffness and low back pain, are common health problems in the working population. They are the leading causes of presenteeism (employees being physically present at work but unable to be fully engaged). However, current medical systems do not spare sufficient resources for non-specific musculoskeletal problems. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the improvements in musculoskeletal symptoms after use of an exercise-based artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted interactive health promotion system that operates through a mobile messaging app (the AI-assisted health program). METHODS We conducted a two-armed, randomized, controlled, and unblinded trial in workers with neck/shoulder stiffness and/or low back pain. We recruited participants with these symptoms through email notifications. We obtained 48 participants in the intervention group and 46 in the control group. The intervention group received the AI-assisted health program, in which the chatbot sent messages to users with the exercise instructions at a fixed time every day through the smart phone’s chatting app (LINE) for 12 weeks. The exercises could be performed within 1 minute. The control group continued with their usual care routines, which included exercising for 3 minutes at recess time provided by the company to prevent stiff shoulders and back pain. We assessed the subjective severities of the neck and shoulder pain/stiffness and low back pain in participants using a scoring scale of 1 to 5 for both the intervention and the control group at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention using an online form. RESULTS We analyzed 47 patients in the intervention group and 40 in the control group. The participants in the intervention group showed significant improvements in the severities of the neck/shoulder pain/stiffness and low back pain compared to those in the control group (OR 12.74, P <.001). Based on the subjective assessment of the improvement of the pain/stiffness at 12 weeks, 36 (77%) participants in the intervention group and 3 (8%) in the control group had improved (improved, slightly improved) (OR 54.23, P <.001). CONCLUSIONS This study showed that the short exercises provided by the AI-assisted health program improved both neck/shoulder pain/stiffness and low back pain in 12 weeks. Digital health programs are low cost and safe and can save experts’ working hours and labor costs. Further studies are needed to identify the elements of the AI-assisted health program that worked. CLINICALTRIAL University hospital Medical Information Network-Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) 000033894; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000038307.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raghad Hashim ◽  
Afraa Salah ◽  
Fatemeh Mayahi ◽  
Saeedeh Haidary

Abstract Background The main purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of neck, shoulder, and low-back pain and to explore factors associated with musculoskeletal pain (MSP) among dental students at Ajman University and Ras Al Khaimah College of Dental Sciences in United Arab Emirates (UAE). Method This cross-sectional study was conducted among dental students using an online questionnaire, which was a modified version of the Standardized Nordic questionnaire, focused on neck, shoulder and low-back pain in the past week and the past year. Results Two hundred and two students (out of 368) responded to the questionnaire. The prevalence of MSP in at least one body site in the past week, and in the past year was 48.5% and 68.3% respectively. Factors significantly associated with MSP in at least one body site at any time were having history of trauma (P = 0.009), lack of exercise (P = 0.001), longer clinical sessions (P = 0.000), and higher BMI (P = 0.010). Conclusion The prevalence of MSP among dental students in the UAE is high. Careful attention from dental colleges is needed to increase students’ awareness of this problem. This study contributed to better understanding of MSP among dental professionals.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raghad Hashim ◽  
Afraa Salah ◽  
Fatemeh Mayahi ◽  
Saeedeh Haidary

Abstract Background The main purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of neck, shoulder, and low-back pain and to explore factors associated with musculoskeletal pain (MSP) among dental students at Ajman University and Ras Al Khaimah College of Dental Sciences in United Arab Emirates (UAE). Method This cross-sectional study was conducted among dental students using an online questionnaire, which was a modified version of the Standardized Nordic questionnaire, focused on neck, shoulder and low-back pain in the past week and the past year. Results Two hundred and two students (out of 368) responded to the questionnaire. The prevalence of MSP in at least one body site in the past week, and in the past year was 48.5% and 68.3% respectively. Factors significantly associated with MSP in at least one body site at any time were having history of trauma (P = 0.009), lack of exercise (P = 0.001), longer clinical sessions (P = 0.000), and higher BMI (P = 0.010). Conclusion The prevalence of MSP among dental students in the UAE is high. Careful attention from dental colleges is needed to increase students’ awareness of this problem. This study contributed to better understanding of MSP among dental professionals.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raghad Hashim ◽  
Afraa Salah ◽  
Fatemeh Mayahi ◽  
Saeedeh Haidary

Abstract Background The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of neck, shoulder, and low-back pain and to examine factors associated with musculoskeletal pain (MSP) among dental students at Ajman University and Ras Al Khaimah College of Dental Sciences in United Arab Emirates (UAE). Method A cross-sectional study was conducted among dental students using an online questionnaire, which was a modified version of the Standardized Nordic questionnaire, focused on neck, shoulder and low-back pain in the past week and the past year. Results A total of two hundred and two dental students (out of 368) responded to the questionnaire. The majority were female 75.2%. The prevalence of MSP in at least one body site in the past week, and in the past year was 48.5% and 68.3% respectively. The factors significantly associated with MSP in at least one body site at any time were having history of trauma (P = 0.009), lack of exercise (P = 0.001), longer clinical sessions (P = 0.000), and higher BMI (P = 0.010). Conclusion The present study indicates that the prevalence of MSP among dental students in the UAE is high. Careful attention from dental colleges is needed to increase students’ awareness of this problem. This study contributed to better understanding of MSP among dental professionals.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raghad Hashim ◽  
Afraa Salah ◽  
Fatemeh Mayahi ◽  
Saeedeh Haidary

Abstract Background The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of neck, shoulder, and low-back pain and to examine factors associated with musculoskeletal pain (MSP) among dental students at Ajman University and Ras Al Khaimah College of Dental Sciences in United Arab Emirates (UAE). Method A cross-sectional study was conducted among dental students using an online questionnaire, which was a modified version of the Standardized Nordic questionnaire, focused on neck, shoulder and low-back pain in the past week and the past year. Results A total of two hundred and two dental students (out of 368) responded to the questionnaire. The majority were female 75.2%. The prevalence of MSP in at least one body site in the past week, and in the past year was 48.5 and 68.3% respectively. The factors significantly associated with MSP in at least one body site at any time were having history of trauma (P = 0.009), lack of exercise (P = 0.001), longer clinical sessions (P = 0.000), and higher BMI (P = 0.010). Conclusion The present study indicates that the prevalence of MSP among dental students in the UAE is high. Careful attention from dental colleges is needed to increase students’ awareness of this problem. This study contributed to better understanding of MSP among dental professionals.


1970 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 853-855
Author(s):  
Mala Herzberg ◽  
Z Oberman ◽  
O Khermosh ◽  
S L Weissman

Abstract Urinary excretion of hydroxyproline was measured in 12 cases of multiple fractures as an index of bone collagen metabolism. Measurements were made for 10 consecutive days after injury; 10 patients with low back pain served as the control group. With three exceptions, the mean daily excretion of hydroxyproline and the day-to-day variations were within the same range in the group with multiple fractures as in the control group.


Author(s):  
Aurora Castro-Méndez ◽  
Inmaculada Concepción Palomo-Toucedo ◽  
Manuel Pabón-Carrasco ◽  
Javier Ramos-Ortega ◽  
Juan Antonio Díaz-Mancha ◽  
...  

Excessive foot pronation has been reported as being related to chronic low back pain symptoms and risk factors in sports-specific pathologies. Compensating custom-made foot orthotics treatment has not been entirely explored as an effective therapy for chronic low back pain (CLBP). This study aims to observe the effects of custom-made foot orthoses, in subjects with foot pronation suffering from CLBP. A total of 101 patients with nonspecific CLBP and a pronated foot posture index (FPI) were studied. They were randomized in two groups: an experimental one (n = 53) used custom-made foot orthotics, and the control group (n = 48) were treated with non-biomechanical effect orthoses. The CLBP was measured using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) Questionnaire and a visual analogue scale (VAS), both for lower back pain. The symptoms were evaluated twice, at first when the subject was included in the study, and later, after 4 weeks of treatment. The analysis of outcomes showed a significant decrease in CLBP in the custom-made foot orthoses participants group (p < 0.001 ODI; p < 0.001 VAS). These findings suggest that controlling excessive foot pronation by using custom-made foot orthoses may significantly contribute to improving CLBP.


2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 319-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Patrícia Soares de Sousa ◽  
Silvia Oliveira Ribeiro ◽  
Carla Monique Ribeiro de Aquino ◽  
Elizabel de Souza Ramalho Viana

Introduction Pregnancy is characterized by several changes in her body. These changes contribute to the emergence of low back pain, which may influence the quality of sleep during pregnancy. Objective To compare the quality of sleep among pregnant women with and without low back pain during pregnancy, examining the relationship between two variables. Materials methods Thirty volunteers aged between 19 and 36 years, divided into control group (CG – n = 16) and Study Group (SG – n = 14), residents in the cities of Natal, were evaluated in the second trimester of pregnancy. To sleep evaluation were used to index the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Low back pain was evaluated using the pressure algometer, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index. Statistical analysis used the Shapiro Wilk test, Student’s T test for independent samples and Pearson correlation test. Results The mean gestational and chronological ages were 28.2 ± 3.4 years and 19.9 ± 3.7 weeks, respectively. Sleep quality was lower in SG (8.21 ± 4.8) when compared to CG (5.94 ± 1.7) and was statistically significant (P = 0.021). Analyzing the relationship between sleep quality and pain intensity, it was observed that the variables have a positive correlation between them (r = 0.372, P = 0.043). Conclusion Our findings indicate that sleep quality is decreased in women with low back pain compared to those without pain.


BJR|Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 20190006
Author(s):  
Maha Emad Ibrahim ◽  
Magdy Ahmed Awadalla ◽  
Aziza Sayed Omar ◽  
Mohammad al-Shatouri

Objective: To assess the short-term efficacy of ultrasound-guided caudal epidural steroid injections (ESIs) in improving pain, and nerve function as measured by electrophysiological testing in chronic radicular low back pain. Methods: Patients diagnosed with chronic radicular low back pain were randomized into one of two groups. The injection group (n = 20) underwent a single ultrasound-guided Caudal ESI of 1 ml of 40 mg ml−1 Triamcinolone Acetonide (Kenacort-A), with local anesthetic. The control group (n = 20) underwent a 12-session physiotherapy program. Both groups were evaluated before and 2 weeks after the intervention using visual analog scale for pain and electrophysiological testing comprising peroneal and tibial terminal motor latencies and F-response latencies and chronodispersion. Results: Both groups showed significant pain reduction on the visual analog scale after the intervention. The injection group showed a significant reduction in F wave chronodispersion post-treatment (<0.01). In the control group, there were no significant differences in F wave parameters pre- and post-treatment (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Caudal ESIs were shown to provide short-term improvement of nerve function as evident by improvement in the electrophysiological parameters sensitive to radiculopathy. It was found to be superior to standard physical therapy in this regard. Advances in knowledge: This work shows a novel electrophysiologic evidence of the short-term efficacy ultrasound-guided caudal ESI.


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