269. Is regular walking associated with a lower risk of low back pain? A cross-sectional study using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination surveys

Abstract

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Physical activity, such as muscle strengthening and aerobic exercise, has been found to be effective for low back pain (LBP). However, the association between weekly walking duration and LBP in the general population remains poorly understood. PURPOSE This study aimed (1) to analyze the association between walking and LBP and (2) to examine this association according to walking duration and overall walking days per week in a general population over 50 years of age using a representative sample of Korean adults. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Cross-sectional study. PATIENT SAMPLE Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys V and VI, performed from 2010 to 2015. OUTCOME MEASURES Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between walking days and duration and LBP. Analysis was restricted to participants aged over 50 years who responded to surveys on LBP and walking activity. METHODS National health and nutrition examination surveys were performed in the Korean general population (n = 48,482) from 2010 to 2015. LBP status was surveyed using a self-reported questionnaire form (“Have you complained of LBP for more than 30 days during the past 3 months?”). Daily walking activity (low-intensity activity) was evaluated using the following two questions: (1) “During the last 7 days, on how many days did you walk for at least 10 minutes at a time? This includes at work and at home, walking to travel from place to place, and any other walking that you have done solely for recreation, sport, exercise, or leisure.” (2) “How much time did you usually spend walking on each of those days?” Walking duration per day was classified into two categories: over 30 min/day and over 1 h/day. Overall walking days per week were categorized into RESULTS Walking for more than 3 days per week for over 30 min at a time was negatively associated with LBP in the unadjusted (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.65, P CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that longer walking duration was associated with a lower risk of LBP using a cross-sectional health survey in the Korean general population.Regular walking with a longer duration for more than 3 days/week is significantly associated with a lower risk of LBP in the general population aged over 50 years. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.