Association of Physical Activity with Low Back Pain in School-Age Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a common condition that often appears in childhood. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between LBP and factors related to physical activity among Iranian school-age children and adolescents.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 4,644 school-age children and adolescents living in Bandar Abbas City. Participants and their parents responded to a questionnaire on back pain and physical activity; the questionnairewas developed based on previous studies. In multiple logistic regressions, we investigated the correlation between LBP and physical activity-related exposure variables during lifetime.Results: 21.4% of the children reported a history of LBP at present or in the past. According to the findings of this study, LBP was associated with age and sex; there were positive and negative relationships between currently active (CA) and previously active (PA) participants (OR=1.285. P=0.012 and OR=0.66. P=0.014, respectively). LBP also negatively correlated with the amount of time spent on physical activity .Conclusion: According to the results, age and sex could be predictors for LBP; specific levels of physical activity were associated with reduced risk of LPB. Based on these associations, children and adolescents must be motivated to participate in physical activity; also, future studies should investigate the optimal amount and type of physical activity for back health in this age group.

Keywords

• low back pain
• physical activity
• exercise
• child
• adolescent