Sport and non-specific low back pain in athletes: a scoping review

Abstract

Abstract Background: The contribution of sport in non-specific low back pain (NS-LBP) remains unknown, due to a large heterogeneity in methods. The aims of this scoping review (ScR) were to systematically map and summarize findings concerning studies reporting data on NS-LBP among athletes. Methods: This ScR was developed referring to the 2020 version of the JBIRM and the PRISMA-ScR. Five medical databases were searched up to November 2021. No limitations in terms of study design and language were applied. Results were presented numerically and thematically. Results: A total of 4061 records were identified through the initial search; 114 articles met the inclusion criteria. Publications had increased over years since 1990. Most of the studies (17.5%) were conducted in the USA, even if most research (53.5%) was conducted in Europe. Analytic observational (42%) and cross-sectional studies (37%) were the most used designs, followed by case reports (12%) and systematic reviews (9 %). Boating (7%), football, soccer, volleyball, running and gymnastics (4.4% each) were the most investigated, although the majority of the studies considered sports in general (36.8%). The overall sample size median was 181, mean age 22+/-10.2; 68% of athletes were professional and 32% amateur. Most of the studies (38%) did not detail the frequency of training. Sport was reported as a risk factor in 67.5% of cases. Conclusions: This is the first ScR to provide a comprehensive overview on this topic. Publications have shown an increasing interest over the last years. Currently research is more centered on the effects of sport practice in general. Research methods are extremely varied and often not adequate to produce strong levels of evidence. Higher-quality, standardized observational research focused on specific sports activities is needed to properly address clinical practice and further research.