Low back pain in female adolescent gymnasts and functional pain scales. (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sweeney, Emily A.; Potter, Morgan N.; MacDonald, James P.; Howell, David R.
• Is Part Of: Physical therapy in sport. Volume 38(2019)
• Page Start: 66
• Page End: 70
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: Functional pain scales -- Jumping -- Lifting -- Artistic gymnastics; Sports physical therapy -- Periodicals; Sports injuries -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Athletic Injuries -- diagnosis -- Periodicals; Athletic Injuries -- therapy -- Periodicals; Physical Therapy -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; 615.82088796
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2019.04.019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1466-853X

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: To determine the scores of gymnasts with low back pain (LBP) on two functional pain scales: the Micheli Functional Scale (MFS) and the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (ODQ). Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Gymnastics facilities. Participants: Female gymnasts aged 7–18 years. Main outcome measures: We grouped gymnasts into those having pain affecting gymnastics and those with pain not affecting gymnastics and then compared MFS and ODQ scores for various activities. Results: Eleven of the 29 participants (38%) endorsed LBP during gymnastics and 18 had LBP not affecting gymnastics. There were no demographic differences between the two groups. A significantly greater proportion of gymnasts who had pain during gymnastics reported pain with jumping (N = 11, 100% vs N = 8, 44%, p = 0.003) and lifting weights (N = 4, 36% vs N = 0, p = 0.016) compared to those not having pain during gymnastics. There were no significant differences between the two groups for pain with spine flexion or extension or for hip flexibility. Conclusions: Although gymnastics requires extreme flexion and extension of the spine, gymnasts whose pain affects them during gymnastics do not endorse more pain with these movements. Gymnasts with LBP during gymnastics are more likely to have pain with jumping and with lifting weights. Highlights: Gymnasts with low back pain often hurt with lifting weights and jumping. Gymnasts with back pain should be evaluated by a sports medicine clinician. Clinicians should determine what movements cause back pain for each gymnast.