Association between rotation-related impairments and activity type in people with and without low back pain.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether people with low back pain (LBP) who regularly participated in a rotation-related activity displayed more rotation-related impairments than people without LBP who did and did not participate in the activity.


METHODS
Secondary analysis of data from a case-control study.


METHODS
Musculoskeletal analysis laboratory at an academic medical center.


METHODS
A convenience sample of participants with LBP (n=55) who participated in a rotation-related sport, back-healthy controls (n=26) who participated in a rotation-related sport, and back-healthy controls (n=42) who did not participate in a rotation-related sport. Participants were matched based on age, sex, and activity level.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
The total number of rotation-related impairments and asymmetrical rotation-related impairments identified during a standardized clinical examination.


RESULTS
Compared with the back-healthy controls who do not play a rotation-related sport group, both the LBP and back-healthy controls who play a rotation-related sport groups displayed significantly more (1) rotation-related impairments (LBP, P<.001; back-healthy controls who play a rotation-related sport, P=.015), (2) asymmetrical rotation-related impairments (LBP, P=.006; back-healthy controls who play a rotation-related sport, P=.020), and (3) rotation-related impairments with trunk movement tests (LBP, P=.002; back-healthy controls who play a rotation-related sport, P<.001). The LBP group had significantly more rotation-related impairments with extremity movement tests than both of the back-healthy groups (back-healthy controls who play a rotation-related sport, P=.011; back-healthy controls who do not play a rotation-related sport, P<.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The LBP and back-healthy controls who play a rotation-related sport groups demonstrated a similar number of total rotation-related impairments and asymmetrical rotation-related impairments, and these numbers were greater than those of the back-healthy controls who do not play a rotation-related sport group. Compared with people without LBP, people with LBP displayed more rotation-related impairments when moving an extremity. These findings suggest that impairments associated with extremity movements may be associated with having an LBP condition.
Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO.
Stephanie A
SA
Weyrauch
Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO.
Sara C
SC
Bohall
Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO.
Christopher J
CJ
Sorensen
Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Electronic address: vandillenl@wusm.wustl.edu.
Linda R
LR
Van Dillen
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D012399:Rotation; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*
Low back pain; Rehabilitation; Rotation; Spine; Sports