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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Low Back Pain in Young Basketball and Floorball Players

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Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of low back pain (LBP) in young female and male basketball and floorball players. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Nine basketball teams and 9 floorball teams from Tampere city district, Finland. Participants Four hundred one young female and male players (mean age: 15.8 ± 1.9 years). Assessment of risk factors Age, gender, sport, and family history of musculoskeletal disorders were assessed as risk factors for LBP. Adjustment was made on team level to avoid random effects associated with a team. Main outcome measures Information of players' background factors and LBP episodes was collected by a structured questionnaire. Results Forty-four percentage of the basketball players and 62% of floorball players had suffered from LBP during the previous 12 months. Prevalence of LBP during the previous year was significantly higher among floorball players (P = 0.001). In both sports, prevalence of pain symptoms was the highest during the competitive playing season. Family history of musculoskeletal disorders [OR (odds ratio), 2.02, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.22-3.34] and higher age (OR, 1.22, 95% CI, 1.05-1.41) were associated with LBP in players. Conclusions The study attested that LBP is a relatively common complaint in young team sport players. Targeted measures to examine causes, risk factors, and prevention of LBP in youth sports are needed.