Predictors of low back pain in physically active conscripts with special emphasis on muscular fitness.
BACKGROUND
Association between low physical fitness and low back pain (LBP) is contradictory in previous studies.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the present prospective cohort study was to investigate the predictive associations of various intrinsic risk factors in young conscripts for LBP, with special attention to physical fitness.


METHODS
A prospective cohort study.


METHODS
A representative sample of Finnish male conscripts. In Finland, military service is compulsory for male citizens and 90% of young men enter into the service.


METHODS
Incidence of LBP and recurrent LBP prompting a visit at the garrison health clinic during 6-month military training.


METHODS
Four successive cohorts of 18- to 28-year-old male conscripts (N=982) were followed for 6 months. Conscripts with incidence of LBP were identified and treated at the garrison clinic. Predictive associations between intrinsic risk factors and LBP were examined using multivariate Cox proportional hazard models.


RESULTS
The cumulative incidence of LBP was 16%, the incidence rate being 1.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-1.4) per 1,000 person-days. Conscripts with low educational level had increased risk for incidence of LBP (hazard ratio [HR], 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.3). Conscripts with low dynamic trunk muscle endurance and low aerobic endurance simultaneously (ie, having coimpairment) at baseline also had an increased risk for incidence of LBP. The strongest risk factor was coimpairment of trunk muscular endurance in tests of back lift and push-up (HR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.4-5.9).


CONCLUSIONS
The increased risk for LBP was observed among young men who had a low educational level and poor fitness level in both muscular and aerobic performance.
Tampere Research Centre of Sports Medicine, The UKK Institute, PO Box 30, 33501 Tampere, Finland. henri.taanila@uta.fi
Henri P
HP
Taanila
Jaana H
JH
Suni
Harri K
HK
Pihlajamäki
Ville M
VM
Mattila
Olli
O
Ohrankämmen
Petteri
P
Vuorinen
Jari P
JP
Parkkari
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult