Lower back pain – the role of leisure-time physical activity, work activity and sitting
Title: Physical activity and time spent sitting as a risk factor for low-back pain: longitudinal data from the HUNT study
Authors: Venseth, T B.
Journal: Published online thesis
Impact Factor: NA
Year: 2014
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Why they did it?
It is estimated that approximately 70% of adults in developed nations will experience lower back pain in their lives. This health condition is among the leading causes of illness and has a high economic cost. Chronic lower back pain is defined as pain that lasts for greater than 6-weeks, and can result in functional and mobility issues, disturbances in sleep and increases the risk of developing depression and anxiety. A key risk factor in the development of lower back pain is a lack of regular physical activity or exercise. Recently, some small-scale studies have shown that, irrespective of physical activity levels, high levels of time spent sitting are independently associated with higher levels of lower back pain. This longitudinal population-based study investigated the effects of physical activity and time spent sitting among a large sample of Norwegian adults.
How they did it?
Data were drawn from the Norwegian HUNT Study. In brief, this is a large government funded longitudinal study which involves over 120,000 Norwegian adults. For this study, data were analysed from 22,445 participants (mean age 44.5 yrs, 55% female) at two time points: (1) 1995 & (2) 2008. Data were collected using previously validated surveys assessing; (1) musculoskeletal pain in the lower back, (2) total daily sitting time, (3) leisure-time physical activity and (4) usual work activity, using a scale ranging from [1] mostly sitting through to [7] heavy labour. Other factors assessed were BMI status, education level, smoking status and level of life satisfaction.
What they found?
During the 12-year follow up period a total 2,782 (12.4%) participants reported lower back pain. The data showed that after adjustment for BMI and other health factors, time sitting was not independently associated with lower back pain. For example, there was no difference in lower back pain incidence for those who reported < 5 hours/day sitting and those who reported 11 or more hours/day sitting. There was a 21% risk reduction among adults with high levels of leisure-time physical activity. The highest levels of lower back pain were among those who reported heavy labour at work. However, among those adults, high leisure-time physical activity levels appeared to be slightly protective of lower back pain development.
Ok, SO what does this mean to me?
Lower back pain is a common chronic health condition. High levels of work-related activity, such as, lifting and heavy labour appear to have the largest effect on lower back pain development. Clients who engage in high work activity may benefit from increasing general physical activity levels or specific exercises to strength the core and lower back muscles. Remember to refer clients to a GP or physiotherapist if they are experiencing lower back pain.
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