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Low-back pain in adolescent athletes

U M Kujala1, S Taimela, M Erkintalo

  • 1Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland.

Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|February 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Adolescent athletes experiencing excessive low-back loading are at higher risk for prolonged low-back pain and acute back injuries. These injuries can lead to anatomical changes in the lumbar spine, particularly during growth spurts.

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Area of Science:

  • Orthopedics
  • Sports Medicine
  • Adolescent Health

Background:

  • Adolescent athletes are susceptible to low-back pain and injuries due to intense physical demands.
  • The relationship between loading, acute injuries, and subsequent anatomical changes in the adolescent spine requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incidence of low-back pain and anatomical changes in the lumbar spine of adolescents.
  • To examine the association between loading, acute injuries, and these outcomes in athletes versus non-athletes.

Main Methods:

  • A 3-year longitudinal study involving 98 adolescents (non-athletes and athletes in ice hockey, soccer, figure skating, and gymnastics).
  • Data collection included self-reported low-back pain and acute back injuries.

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  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the lumbar spine was performed on a subset of female participants.

    • Main Results:

    • Athletes reported significantly more prolonged low-back pain (45%) than non-athletes (18%).
    • Acute back injury was strongly associated with prolonged low-back pain (89% vs. 3%).
    • New MRI abnormalities were more prevalent in girls who reported acute back injuries (75%) compared to those who did not (23%).

    Conclusions:

    • Excessive loading and acute low-back injuries during adolescence, especially during growth spurts, are detrimental to lower back health.
    • These findings highlight the importance of injury prevention strategies for young athletes.
    • The study underscores the link between acute injuries and long-term anatomical changes in the adolescent spine.