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Updated: Dec 22, 2025
Biomechanical Changes Related to Low Back Pain: An Innovative Tool for Movement Pattern Assessment and Treatment Evaluation in Rehabilitation
Published on: December 13, 2024
Perceptions of low back pain in elite gymnastics: A multi-disciplinary qualitative focus group study
Louise Fawcett1, Nicola R Heneghan2, Steven James3
1British Gymnastics, English Institute of Sport, Lilleshall National Sports Centre, Nr Newport, Shropshire, UK.
Objectives:
To explore the multidisciplinary team experience of Low Back Pain (LBP) in elite gymnastics.
Design:
A qualitative focus group.
Setting:
British Gymnastics.
Participants:
Ten coaching, sports science and medicine multidisciplinary team members working with British gymnasts.
Main Outcome Measures:
A topic guide informed by literature/expert opinion enabled discussion that was recorded/transcribed verbatim. Initial inductive analytic process developed theoretical insights. Manual coding using constant comparative methods categorised meaningful themes and sub-themes.
Results:
Two key aspects were identified. Emerging themes for LBP presentation included: early identification LBP and influence of multidisciplinary team members on outcomes; factors influencing LBP reporting e.g. coach-athlete relationship; frequent presentations of LBP and accepted norms; athlete history and physical examination e.g. training load. Emerging themes for causation of LBP included: intrinsic risk factors e.g. growth and maturation; extrinsic risk factors e.g. equipment.
Conclusions:
Individual responses of a gymnast to experiencing LBP were important across all themes. Some LBP was perceived as normal. The coach-athlete relationship and support team are crucial decision-makers around training load and adaptation. Early detection will help minimise time loss from training/performance to expedite healing.
