title: Prevalence of low back pain in alpine ski instructors.
abstract: METHODS
  Mailed survey to random sample of a specific population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the lifetime and point prevalence of low back pain among alpine ski instructors.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The lifetime prevalence for back pain is up to 60% among some athletes. Published literature documents back pain among athletes participating in many sports. However, the prevalence of low back pain among alpine ski instructors has not been established.
  
  
  METHODS
  Surveys were mailed to 500 randomly selected members of the Professional Ski Instructors of America. The lifetime and point prevalence were determined by respondents' report regarding history of low back pain and current back pain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred four (75% of the 272 respondents) reported a history of low back pain. Eighty-five of those who responded (31%) reported current back pain. Over 9% of respondents missed 10 or more days of work because of back pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The lifetime prevalence of back pain among respondents was similar to the general population. The respondents reported more lifetime prevalence of back pain than athletes of many other sports. The high prevalence of back pain among ski instructors may increase cost and decrease revenue for the employer. Prevention training in this population may decrease the prevalence of back pain and lessen costs to the employer and the alpine ski instructor.
authors.affiliation: St John's Medical Center Health Institute, Jackson, WY, USA. NolaSP@aol.com
authors.forename: Nola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Peacock
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Reed
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fogg
authors.forename: Kurt
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dudley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012865:Skiing / Q000293:injuries*; D013663:Teaching