Body mass, nonspecific low back pain, and anatomical changes in the lumbar spine in judo athletes.

Abstract

Cross-sectional study of a specific population. To investigate the prevalence and coprevalence of nonspecific low back pain (nsLBP) and lumbar radiological abnormalities (LRA) in judo athletes. nsLBP and LRA occur frequently in judo athletes. High body mass has been reported to be associated with both nsLBP and LRA. The subjects comprised 82 male judo athletes (mean +/- SD age, 20.1 +/- 0.9 years) from 3 weight categories: lightweight (n = 29), middleweight (n= 31), and heavyweight (n = 22). The presence of nsLBP was evaluated using a questionnaire. LRA were examined using plain-film radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging. The prevalence of nsLBP and LRA were compared among weight categories. The prevalence of nsLBP in the lightweight, middleweight, and heavyweight categories was 34.5%, 32.3%, and 40.9%, respectively. For LRA, prevalence for the 3 weight categories was 65.5%, 90.3%, and 90.9%, respectively (middle-weight and heavyweight greater prevalence than lightweight [P<.05]). The prevalence of LRA in athletes with nsLBP in each category was 50.0%, 100%, and 88.9%, respectively (middleweight greater prevalence than lightweight [P<.05]). The prevalence of LRA in athletes without nsLBP in each category was 73.7%, 85.7%, and 92.3%, respectively. The prevalence of LRA was approximately 90% in the middleweight and heavyweight categories, which was greater than for the lightweight category. There was a large coprevalence of nsLBP and LRA. However, many judo athletes without nsLBP had LRA. The presence of LRA may not have a direct association with nsLBP.