Abstract
BackgroundOur understanding of the effects of football code participation on low back pain (LBP) is limited. It is unclear whether LBP is more prevalent in athletic populations or differs between levels of competition. Thus it was the aim of this study to document and compare the prevalence, intensity, quality and frequency of LBP between elite and semi-elite male Australian football code participants and a non-athletic group.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of elite and semi-elite male Australian football code participants and a non-athletic group was performed. Participants completed a self-reported questionnaire incorporating the Quadruple Visual Analogue Scale (QVAS) and McGill Pain Questionnaire (short form) (MPQ-SF), along with additional questions adapted from an Australian epidemiological study. Respondents were 271 elite players (mean age 23.3, range 17–39), 360 semi-elite players (mean age 23.8, range 16–46) and 148 non-athletic controls (mean age 23.9, range 18–39).ResultsGroups were matched for age (p = 0.42) and experienced the same age of first onset LBP (p = 0.40). A significant linear increase in LBP from the non-athletic group, to the semi-elite and elite groups for the QVAS and the MPQ-SF was evident (p < 0.001). Elite subjects were more likely to experience more frequent (daily or weekly OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.29–2.42) and severe LBP (discomforting and greater OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.29–2.38).ConclusionFoolers in Australia have significantly more severe and frequent LBP than a non-athletic group and this escalates with level of competition.
Highlights
Our understanding of the effects of football code participation on low back pain (LBP) is limited
Less interest has been afforded to investigating LBP in athletic populations
At both of levels of play, if clubs consented to participate it was required that they provide access to their entire player rosters to ensure 100% compliance which would assist in providing an accurate reflection of the status of LBP in the participating clubs
Summary
Our understanding of the effects of football code participation on low back pain (LBP) is limited. It is unclear whether LBP is more prevalent in athletic populations or differs between levels of competition. It was the aim of this study to document and compare the prevalence, intensity, quality and frequency of LBP between elite and semi-elite male Australian football code participants and a non-athletic group. Studies have documented that LBP prevalence and severity can vary between sports, with an increase in pain noted in those with significant low back demands [4,5]. Noteworthy is the reported lack of significant difference in low back injury rates between contact and non-contact sports [6]
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