The association between trunk muscle endurance and lumbar-pelvic instability in adolescent LBP

Abstract

The Association between Trunk Muscle Endurance and Lumbar-Pelvic Instability in Adolescent Low Back Pain Françoise Lewis Supervisors: Wendy-Anne Wood, Benita Naude. Low back pain (LBP) is a common cause of discomfort in modern society, and the prevalence of LBP in the adolescent population is high and has a predictive value for the occurrence of LBP as an adult. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between adolescent LBP and trunk muscle endurance and lumbar-pelvic instability, as well as the association between trunk muscle endurance and lumbar-pelvic instability. Sports and physical activity participation, sedentary activity participation and a family history were also investigated as they have been identified in previous studies as potential risk factors. The study was a cross sectional study of 80 adolescents in grade 8 to grade 11, aged 12 to 17 year , at three high schools in Gauteng, who agreed to participate in the study. Data was collected by means of a validated questionnaire and a physical examination. The level of significance for as sociated factors was set at 0.05. The results revealed a lifetime prevalence of 82.50%, one year prevalence of 78.80% and point prevalence of 23.80%. Adolescents with LBP have decreased endurance of the trunk extensor muscles but increased endurance of the trunk flexor muscles, which is statistically significant (p=0.044) . Lumbar-pelvic instability is not associated with adolescent LBP. Extensor trunk muscle endurance and poor lumbar pelvic stability show an association (p=0.031), with those adolescents with decreased trunk extensor muscle endurance presenting with poor lumbar-pelvic stability. A family history of LBP is significant for point prevalence of LBP (p=0.012), and one-year prevalence of LBP is marginally significant (p=0.086). Low activity level particpation was reported by a large percentage of all subjects. Sedentary activity participation is moderate in the LBP group, but the results are not statistically significant . There is a need for preventative srategies to decrease the prevalence of adolescent LBP. Increased awareness of LBP and potential risk factors needs to be addressed.