The prevalence of low back pain among former elite cross-country skiers, rowers, orienteerers, and nonathletes: A 10-year cohort study

Abstract

Background: Some cross-sectional studies have suggested that the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) may be high among endurance athletes with repetitive back loading, but there are no large, prospective cohort studies addressing this issue. Purpose: To compare the prevalence of symptoms of low back pain (LBP) among former endurance athletes with different loading characteristics on the lumbar region: cross-country skiing (flexion loading), rowing (extension loading), and orienteering (no specific loading), as well as a nonathletic control group. Conclusion: Low back pain was not more common among former endurance athletes with specific back loading compared with non-athletes. The results indicate that years of prolonged and repetitive flexion or extension loading in endurance sports does not lead to more LBP. However, a large training volume in the past year and previous episodes with LBP are risk factors for LBP. Comparing the sports of rowing, cross-country skiing, and orienteering, it appears that whereas orienteering is protective, rowing can provoke LBP.