Neck Pain and Low Back Pain in Relation to Functional Disability in Different Sport Activities Publisher



Farahbakhsh F¹ ; Akbarifakhrabadi M¹ ; Shariat A¹ ; Cleland JA² ; Farahbakhsh F¹ ; Seifbarghi T³ ; Mansournia MA⁴ ; Rostami M⁵ ; Kordi R^{1, 3}
Source: Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation Published:2018

Abstract

This population-based, cross-sectional study aimed to determine the frequency of neck pain, low back pain (LBP) and also the LBP related functional disability in five sport categories including football, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, and other sports in one of the Iranian sport Olym-piads. The prevalence of neck pain and LBP in different time points was evaluated with the use of an interview questionnaire. A visual analogue scale was used to evaluate the athlete's current pain. Furthermore, the functional disability related to LBP was assessed by the Athletes Dis-ability Index Questionnaire (ADI). A total of 452 male athletes aging be-tween 12 and 20 were screened. Three hundred seventy-seven partici-pants responded to the questionnaires in which their mean age (stan-dard deviation) was 15.95 (1.25). Collectively, the life-time prevalence of neck pain and LBP in all the athletes was 38.8% and 42.0%, respectively. The highest risk of neck pain at all-time points was observed among basketball players compared to other sport groups (P < 0.05). The risk of LBP in most time points was the least among wrestlers (P < 0.05). The ADI score was significantly higher among basketball players (13.89%) compared to volleyball players and wrestlers (P < 0.05). Our study re-vealed a high prevalence of neck pain and LBP among Iranian young male athletes. A higher risk of neck pain and LBP among basketball players predisposes this sport at high risk of developing spine injuries which needs further consideration. © 2017 Korean Society of Exercise Rehabilitation.