Non-specific low back pain in male professional football players in the Turkish super league


Çali A., GELECEK N., Subasi S.

Science and Sports, cilt.28, sa.4, 2013 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 28 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2013
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.scispo.2012.08.003
  • Dergi Adı: Science and Sports
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Football, Low back pain, Male, Professional
  • Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and possible causes of non-specific low back pain (LBP) in male professional football players in the Turkish Super League. Methods: A total of 121players were questioned for demographic variables and whether they have had LBP in the last year. Player position, training characteristics, number of years as a football player, injury background and last season statistics were investigated. Flexibility of low back and hamstring muscles, and hamstring muscle length were measured. Results: Thirty-eight football players reported non-specific LBP in last year with a prevalence of 31.4%. It was found that more matches played in a starting position and hamstring muscle shortness were significant factors for developing non-specific LBP (P<. 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of non-specific LBP in Turkish male professional football players is 31.4%, similar to the literature findings. Hamstring muscle shortness and high numbers of matches played as a starter are important factors for non-specific LBP. These findings should be considered for injury prevention. Causes of LBP in football players require further investigation. Studies should be performed on a larger sample of participants to attain more certain results. © 2013 .