Factors Associated with Low Back Overuse Injuries in Sports Science Students - A Prospective Study.
Maja Mikša Podobnik1,2, Nejc Šarabon3, Marjan Bilban2,4
1University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Zdravstveno Varstvo
|January 6, 2025
Summary
Sports science students with a history of low back pain (LBP) or low ferritin levels are at higher risk for developing new LBP. Early detection and prevention are crucial for this population.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Exercise Science
- Biomedical Science
Background:
- Sports science students (SPS) exhibit a higher prevalence of low back pain (LBP) compared to other young, active individuals.
- Understanding risk factors for LBP in SPS is crucial for targeted prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively identify potential risk factors for low back pain (LBP) in sports science students.
- To evaluate the association between LBP and overtraining/motor ability parameters.
Main Methods:
- A 10-week prospective study involving 54 sports science students.
- Collected physical performance data, blood samples (ferritin, iron), and sleep duration.
- Assessed LBP occurrence weekly using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Overuse Injury Questionnaire.
- Utilized multiple binary logistic regression to analyze risk factors.
Main Results:
- Low back pain (LBP) affected 13% of students during the 10-week follow-up.
- Statistically significant risk factors for LBP included low ferritin levels (OR=8.70) and a history of previous LBP (OR=8.69).
- Overtraining parameters and motor ability tests did not emerge as significant predictors in the final model.
Conclusions:
- Sports science students with prior LBP history or low ferritin levels face an elevated risk of new LBP episodes.
- Emphasizes the need for comprehensive LBP prevention, including exercise and medical check-ups with blood tests.
