title: Postural control and low back pain in elite athletes comparison of static balance in elite athletes with and without low back pain.
abstract: Although current research findings suggest that postural control or static balance is impaired in subjects with low back pain, few studies have specifically addressed the effect of low back pain on static balance in elite athletes. Forty-four athletes belonging to Chilean national teams took part in this study; 20 had low back pain and the remaining 24 were healthy controls. Displacement of the centre of pressure was analyzed by computerized platform posturography, using a standardized protocol; subjects were required to stand upright on both feet, with eyes first open then closed. The results showed that, athletes with low back pain used significantly more energy (p< 0.0182) and had a greater displacement of the centre of pressure (p< 0.005) with open eyes to control posture than healthy athletes. It may be concluded that static balance is impaired in elite athletes with low back pain and that analysis of two-footed stance provides a sensitive assessment of static balance in athletes.
authors: Universidad Finis Terrae, Santiago, Chile.
authors: Claudio A
authors: CA
authors: Oyarzo
authors: Universidad Finis Terrae, Santiago, Chile.
authors: Claudio R
authors: CR
authors: Villagrán
authors: Centro de Alto Rendimiento, Santiago, Chile.
authors: Rony E
authors: RE
authors: Silvestre
authors: Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain.
authors: Pedro
authors: P
authors: Carpintero
authors: Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain.
authors: Francisco J
authors: FJ
authors: Berral
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: balance; low back pain; postural control; posturography; stabilometry