Abstract
BackgroundThere is limited knowledge about leisure time physical activity and the body mass index (BMI) as prognostic factors for recovery from persistent back pain. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of leisure time physical activity and BMI on recovery from persistent back pain among men and women in a general population.MethodsThe study population (n=1836) in this longitudinal cohort study consisted of participants reporting persistent back pain in the baseline questionnaire in 2002-2003. Data on leisure time physical activity, BMI and potential confounders were also collected at baseline. Information on recovery from persistent back pain (no back pain periods ≥ 7 days during the last 5 years) was obtained from the follow-up questionnaire in 2007. Log-binomial models were applied to calculate Risk Ratios with 95 percent Confidence Intervals (CI) comparing physically active and normal weight groups versus sedentary and overweight groups.ResultsCompared to a sedentary leisure time, all measured levels of leisure time physical activity were associated with a greater chance of recovery from persistent back pain among women. The adjusted Risk Ratios was 1.46 (95% CI: 1.06, 2.01) for low leisure time physical activity, 1.51 (95% CI: 1.02, 2.23) for moderate leisure time physical activity, and 1.67 (95% CI: 1.08, 2.58) for high leisure time physical activity. There were no indications that leisure time physical activity influenced recovery among men, or that BMI was associated with recovery from persistent back pain either among men or among women.ConclusionsRegular leisure time physical activity seems to improve recovery from persistent back pain among women.
Highlights
There is limited knowledge about leisure time physical activity and the body mass index (BMI) as prognostic factors for recovery from persistent back pain
In the present study we aimed to investigate the influence of regular leisure time physical activity and BMI on recovery from persistent back pain among men and women in a general population
In this study we found that a non-sedentary leisure time improved recovery from persistent back pain (PBP) among women in a general population
Summary
There is limited knowledge about leisure time physical activity and the body mass index (BMI) as prognostic factors for recovery from persistent back pain. The proportion of patients reporting BP one year after onset is reported to be as high as 50 to 60 percent [2,3] These facts support the importance of efforts to find prognostic factors for recovery from BP. Overweight, on the other hand, may be negatively associated with back pain through excessive mechanical load, metabolic changes and other biochemical mechanisms [8] This and the fact that leisure time physical activity and the body mass index (BMI) are modifiable factors and could be an important alternative in self-management of BP emphasize increased knowledge about their prognostic value [9]
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