Back pain in adolescents: associated factors with a multifactorial approach

Abstract

The objective of the current study was to analyze the prevalence of spine pain in adolescents and to show the relationship between back pain and some associated factors. The sample consisted of 57 schoolchildren, mean age 14.11±0.43 years-old. Body mass and height were measured to calculate BMI; the survey about back pain in adolescents was completed to register the prevalence of PA, sedentary lifestyle, way of carrying a backpack and spine pain; and the strength of the flexor and extensor muscles and hamstring extensibility was evaluated. It was found that a 43.86% of the subjects had spine pain, with low back pain as the most common (36.84%). Approximately 15 to 25% of the adolescents had visited the family doctor or physiotherapist because of spine pain throughout their lives. A tendency, with no significant differences, was found for a greater presence of spine pain in sport practitioners (r=0.250; p=0.059), especially among those who practiced fewer hours a week (r=0.348; p=0.076). The schoolchildren who presented spine pain tended to have less flexor and extensor strength of the trunk and less hamstring extensibility, with no significant differences between groups (p>0.05). Sex, time spent in sedentary activities, way of carrying a backpack and BMI were not related to spine pain (p>0.05). In conclusion, the sport practice, trunk strength and hamstring extensibility are variables that could affect the incidence of spine pain in adolescents.