Young elite cross-country skiers and low back pain - A 5-year study

Objectives: To evaluate possible changes in spinal curvature over a period of 5 years of an elite cross-country skiing squad, and to study whether there are any differences in this respect between individuals who report low back pain and those how do not. Participants: Fifteen young cross-country skiers (M age = 13.6 +/- 0.9) participated voluntarily throughout the entire study period. Main outcome measures: Debrunner's kyphometer was used for measuring the difference between thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis of the spine. All subjects also answered a questionnaire including questions about ski-related low back pain, the amount of ski training, and participation in other sports. Results: The results at the end of the 5-year period comprise data from 15 skiers (M age = 18.5 +/- 0.9 years). The relationship between thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis increased from 3.5 degrees to 13.1 degrees, respectively (p = 0.0001). Of the 15 elite cross-country skiers, seven reported low back pain at the 5-year examination. At the 5-year follow-up, skiers with low back pain showed significantly higher relationship between thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis than did those skiers without low back pain, 18.2 degrees and 10.5 degrees, respectively (p = 0.035). Of the eight elite cross-country skiers without low back pain, seven were also involved in other sports (p = 0.005). Conclusions: Based on these findings, our advice is that adolescent cross-country skiers also should participate in other physical activities besides cross-country skiing. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.