Cross-sectional associations between the diversity of sport activities and the type of low back pain in adulthood. Issue 9 (20th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kaartinen, Sara; Aaltonen, Sari; Korhonen, Tellervo; Rottensteiner, Mirva; Kujala, Urho M.; Kaprio, Jaakko
• Is Part Of: European journal of sport science. Volume 20:Issue 9(2020)
• Page Start: 1277
• Page End: 1287
• Publication Date: 2020-10-20
• Subjects: Cohort study -- exercise -- low back pain -- lumbago -- physical activity -- sciatica; Sports sciences -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Periodicals; Sports -- Periodicals; 612
• DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2019.1706642
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1746-1391

Abstract

Abstract: Leisure-time physical activity has a complex relationship with low back pain (LBP). Thus, we aimed to investigate whether the diversity of sport activities is associated with the type of LBP. In the FinnTwin16 study, 4246 (55% females) Finnish twins at mean age 34.1 years replied to a health behaviour survey in 2010–2012. Based on the participation in different sport activities, we created two measures of diversity: quantity (i.e. the number of sport activities: 1, 2, 3, 4 and ≥5) and quality (i.e. the type of sport activity: endurance, strength, body care, etc.). Based on the frequency, duration and type of LBP, we created three groups: no history of LBP lasting more than one day, radiating LBP and non-radiating LBP. The associations between the quantity and quality of sport activities and the type of LBP were investigated with logistic regression analyses. Participation in ≥5 sport activities associated with less radiating and non-radiating LBP in analyses pooled across sex (odds ratio 0.46, 95% CI 0.30–0.69 and 0.66, 0.44–0.99, respectively). However, the associations attenuated after adjusting for several confounders. Participation in endurance sports was associated with less radiating (0.58, 0.43–0.76) and non-radiating (0.60, 0.44–0.81) LBP, whereas strength sports and body care only with less radiating LBP (0.76, 0.58–1.00 and 0.26, 0.09–0.74, respectively) adjusted for all sport types. On a sport-specific level, running and cycling were associated with less radiating and non-radiating LBP. In adulthood, the diversity of sport activities, particularly participation in endurance sports, may be associated with less radiating and non-radiating LBP.