Abstract
ObjectivesTo establish the prevalence of back pain in German elite athletes; examine the influence of age, sex, sports discipline and training volume; and compare elite athletes with a physically active control group.MethodsA standardized and validated online back pain questionnaire was sent by the German Olympic Sports Confederation to approximately 4,000 German national and international elite athletes, and a control group of 253 physically active but non-elite sports students.ResultsWe received responses from 1,114 elite athletes (46.5% male and 53.1% female, mean age 20.9 years ± 4.8 years, mean height 176.5 ± 11.5 cm, mean weight 71.0 ± 10.3 kg) and 166 physically active sports students (74.7% male and 24.1 female, mean age 21.2 ± 2.0 years, mean height 180.0 ± 8.0 cm, mean weight 74.0 ± 14.5 kg). In elite athletes, the lifetime prevalence of back pain was 88.5%, the 12-month prevalence was 81.1%, the 3-month prevalence was 68.3% and the point prevalence was 49.0%, compared with 80.7%, 69.9%, 59.0% and 42.8%, respectively in the control group. The lifetime, 12-month and 3-month prevalences in elite athletes were significantly higher than in the control group. Regarding the individual sports disciplines, the prevalence of back pain was significantly higher in elite rowers, dancers, fencers, gymnasts, track and field athletes, figure skaters and marksmen, and those who play underwater rugby, water polo, basketball, hockey and ice hockey compared with the control group. The prevalence of back pain was significantly lower in elite triathletes.ConclusionsBack pain is a common complaint in German elite athletes. Low back pain seems to be a problem in both elite athletes and physically active controls. A high training volume in elite athletes and a low training volume in physically active individuals might increase prevalence rates. Our findings indicate the necessity for specific prevention programs, especially in high-risk sports. Further research should investigate the optimal dose-effect relationship of sporting activity for the general population to prevent back pain.
Highlights
IntroductionEspecially low back pain is a common complaint in the general population. It causes disability, reduces quality of life and impairs ability to work, constituting a great socioeconomic burden on patients and society, resulting in enormous costs for the health care system [1]
Back pain, especially low back pain is a common complaint in the general population
Regarding the individual sports disciplines, the prevalence of back pain was significantly higher in elite rowers, dancers, fencers, gymnasts, track and field athletes, figure skaters and marksmen, and those who play underwater rugby, water polo, basketball, hockey and ice hockey compared with the control group
Summary
Especially low back pain is a common complaint in the general population. It causes disability, reduces quality of life and impairs ability to work, constituting a great socioeconomic burden on patients and society, resulting in enormous costs for the health care system [1]. It is well recognized that sports participation generally influences health in a positive way [3], but there is a lack of knowledge about the optimal dose-effect relationship. In this context it is of particular concern whether elite athletes are exposed to a higher risk of developing back pain compared with physically active individuals. Elite athletes might be in the end-range position of this curve They spend a great deal of time training and competing, both of which subject their bodies to a great deal of mechanical strain and a high level of stress on the musculoskeletal system. It has been proposed that this physical stress leads to a higher prevalence of back pain in athletes compared with the general population [10, 13, 14]
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