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Incidence and Risk Factors for Lumbar Spondylolysis in Adolescent Rugby Players: A Prospective Study
Jun Sakata1, Yuki Murata, Tatsuya Takahashi
1TOYOTA Athlete Support Center, TOYOTA Memorial Hospital, Toyota, Japan.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors of lumbar spondylolysis in adolescent rugby players.
Design:
A prospective cohort design over a 9-month season (June 1, 2021-February 28, 2022) was used.
Setting:
A set of adolescent rugby players of male sex participated in this study and physical function examination were measured before injury surveillance.
Participants:
A total of 185 adolescent rugby players participated in this study.
Assessment Of Risk Factors:
Bilateral passive range of motion of the hip, rectus femoris muscle flexibility, hamstring flexibility, and thoracic kyphosis angle were assessed.
Main Outcome Measures:
All participants were followed for a 9-month season (from June 2021 to February 2022) to determine the injury incidence during matches and training.
Results:
A total of 25 players (14.4%) had a lower back injury. The 18 players (72.0%) who reported injuries of the lower back were diagnosed with spondylolysis. A smaller passive hip external rotation range of motion on the right side and larger thoracic kyphosis angle were associated with lumbar spondylolysis.
Conclusions:
Restricted hip external rotation flexibility and round posture may be risk factors for lumbar spondylolysis in adolescent rugby players.
Level Of Evidence:
Prospective cohort, level 2.
