Prevalence and risk factors for back pain in sports: a systematic review with meta-analysis (full article download link)
Lower back pain is the most common complaint across athletic and non-athletic populations. As such there is a LOT of snake-oil and quick fixes.
The article reported that:
►Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common problems in the general population and is a leading cause of disability.
►Exercise is effective in reducing the risk of LBP episodes although this relationship has been proposed to be U-shaped and a high level of physical activity can be associated with increased risk.
►LBP in athletes can be career ending and can result in considerable disability.
►LBP is prevalent in athletes, with prevalence similar or higher than the general population, and with a long recovery trajectory for some. This indicates that while exercise is generally protective for LBP, it may increase risk at higher volumes.
►Risk factors for LBP in sport include history, high volume of training and competition with poor load management and years of exposure to sport.
►Current screening programmes presently are insufficient to identify those at risk.
►Future research in athlete LBP should provide a specific sport appropriate definition with a temporal component. Survey tools should be developed and validated in an athlete population.