The aging spine in sports.
1. Masters athletes may experience low back pain from multiple sources. Masters athletes with discogenic back pain should avoid or modify sports with combined rotational and compressive forces; individuals with facet-mediated pain should avoid or modify sports with excessive extension and rotation. 2. Optimization of flexibility, strength, endurance, and core control is critical. Sports specific training, realistic goal setting, and counseling are of maximal importance. 3. Overall, the health benefits of continued sports and athletic participation outweigh the potential risks of spinal degeneration in middle-aged athletes. There is little correlation between radiographic appearance of the spine and symptoms; therefore, symptoms should serve as the primary guide when determining activity modifications. Overall, masters athletes should be encouraged to remain active and fit to enhance their quality of life and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Department of PM&R, Harvard Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA. jborgstein@partners.org
Joanne
J
Borg-Stein
Lauren
L
Elson
Erik
E
Brand
D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001416:Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D011379:Prognosis; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012307:Risk Factors; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents