title: Back pain prevalence in adolescent athletes.
abstract: The research aimed to investigate back pain (BP) prevalence in a large cohort of young athletes with respect to age, gender, and sport discipline. BP (within the last 7 days) was assessed with a face scale (face 1-2 = no pain; face 3-5 = pain) in 2116 athletes (m/f 61%/39%; 13.3 ± 1.7 years; 163.0 ± 11.8 cm; 52.6 ± 13.9 kg; 4.9 ± 2.7 training years; 8.4 ± 5.7 training h/week). Four different sports categories were devised (a: combat sports, b: game sports; c: explosive strength sport; d: endurance sport). Analysis was described descriptively, regarding age, gender, and sport. In addition, 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. About 168 (8%) athletes were allocated into the BP group. About 9% of females and 7% of males reported BP. Athletes, 11-13 years, showed a prevalence of 2-4%; while prevalence increased to 12-20% in 14- to 17-year olds. Considering sport discipline, prevalence ranged from 3% (soccer) to 14% (canoeing). Prevalences in weight lifting, judo, wrestling, rowing, and shooting were ≥10%; in boxing, soccer, handball, cycling, and horse riding, ≤6%. 95% CI ranged between 0.08-0.11. BP exists in adolescent athletes, but is uncommon and shows no gender differences. A prevalence increase after age 14 is obvious. Differentiated prevention programs in daily training routines might address sport discipline-specific BP prevalence.
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine & Sports Orthopaedics, University Outpatient Clinic, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine & Sports Orthopaedics, University Outpatient Clinic, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine & Sports Orthopaedics, University Outpatient Clinic, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stoll
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine & Sports Orthopaedics, University Outpatient Clinic, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fröhlich
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine & Sports Orthopaedics, University Outpatient Clinic, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Otto
authors.affiliation: Sports Medicine & Sports Orthopaedics, University Outpatient Clinic, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mayer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D056352:Athletes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001416:Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001642:Bicycling; D001914:Boxing; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006173:Gymnastics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016139:Martial Arts; D015995:Prevalence; D012916:Soccer; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013550:Swimming; D054798:Volleyball; D014891:Weight Lifting; D014952:Wrestling
keywords: Young athletes; back pain; prevalence; types of sports