Continuity of physical activity practice from childhood to adolescence is associated with lower neck pain in both sexes and lower back pain in girls

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Saraiva, Bruna Thamyres Ciccotti^{a; *} | Pinto, Rafael Z.^b | Oliveira, Crystian Bitencourt^c | Zanuto, Edner Fernando^c | Scarabottolo, Catarina Covolo^a | Delfino, Leandro Dragueta^a | Suetake, Vinícius Yukio Botelho^a | Gil, Fernanda Caroline Staquencini^c | Christofaro, Diego Giulliano Destro^{a; c}

Affiliations: [a] Postgraduate Program in Motricity Science, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil | [b] Department of Physiotherapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil | [c] Postgraduate Program in Physiotherapy, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Bruna Thamyres Ciccotti Saraiva, School of Physical Education, Universidade Estadual Paulista (University of Sao Paulo State), Presidente Prudente, SP, Brasil. Tel.: +55 18 3229 5388; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The literature on physical activity practice through sports as a protective factor for back pain in adolescents is conflicting. However, few studies have aimed to verify if continuity of the practice of physical activity from childhood to adolescence may be related to lower chances of back pain in adolescents. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to analyze the association between physical activity practice from childhood to adolescence and back pain in adolescents. METHODS: The random sample was composed of 870 adolescents with a mean age of 13.7 ± 2.0 years. The continuity of physical activity practice was assessed through the continuity of sports practice from childhood to adolescence. Pain in the neck and low back were evaluated through a questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of neck pain and low back pain in boys was 17.5% and in girls was 20.9% for neck pain and 21.9% for low back pain. Physical activity practice during childhood to adolescence was a protective factor for neck pain (OR = 0.57 [CI = 0.35–0.94]) and low back pain (OR = 0.53 [CI = 0.33–0.86]) in girls and neck pain in boys (OR = 0.52 [CI = 0.30–0.90]), even after adjusting for confounding factors. CONCLUSION: Girls with physical activity practice during childhood to adolescence were less likely to develop neck pain and back pain when compared to girls who did not maintain practice of physical activity. Similar results were observed in boys considering neck pain.

Keywords: Physical activity, sports, back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, adolescents

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-181136

Journal: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 269-275, 2020