Investigating the Pain, Functional Disability and Kinesiophobia Caused by Low Back Pain among Ping Pong Players

Abstract

Introduction: Low back pain is a common pain among ping pong players and the presence of functional impairment due to low back pain, is one of the important reasons for absence of these athletes in trainings and competitions. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the pain and functional impairment and Kinesiophobia which caused by low back pain among ping pong players in the league 1 and premier league of Iran and factors such as the relationship between pain prevalence and some variables; age, weight, height, and activity level. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 80 ping pong players of premier league and league 1 of Iran (80 men with a mean age of 23.26±5.74 years, height of 177.18±7.07 cm and weight of 71.63±9.26 Kg). Demographic and athletic data was collected by a researcher-devised questionnaire. Pain level was measured through the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), functional disability through Oswestry Questionnaire and Poverty Scale through the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK). Statistical methods were used for analysis. Results: The results of this study show that by 16.3% of patients had pain at the moment, by 33.7% had pain in the last six months, by 40% had pain in the past year and by 45% had a history of pain during their lifetime. Also, by 43% of ping pong players had degrees of functional disability with a mean score of 9.07±7.93 and a mean score of Kinesiophobia of 39.63±6.68. There is also a significant and direct relationship between the intensity of the present pain in the players and the degree of functional disability and their kinesiophobia ( P <0.05). The results of the study show a significant relationship between pain prevalence, weight, age, athletic level (ranking of players) and the number of training hours per session ( P <0.05). Conclusion : The results of this study indicate a high prevalence of pain, functional disability and kinesiophobia among elite ping pong players in Iran. Factors such as age, athletic level, weight and number of training hours per session are among the risk factors of pain prevalence and functional disability in ping pong players. Considering foresaid risk factors, it has been recommended to take necessary measures in order to prevent the occurrence of low back pain in Iranian ping pong players. Keywords: Ping Pong, Epidemiology, Low Back Pain, Functional Disability, Kinesiophobia