I am a
Home I AM A Search Login

What is the relationship between physical activity and low back pain?

RECENT POSTS

GLOBAL YEAR

The 2023 Global Year aims to raise awareness about integrative pain care and illustrate the knowns and unknowns of this important topic via different initiatives, including a fact sheet series and several webinars.

Learn More >

The Australian Twin low BACK pain (AUTBACK) study

Almost all guidelines for the prevention and management of low back pain (LBP) emphasise the importance of regular physical activity and exercise [1, 2]. Surprisingly, the question of whether physical inactivity in general, or specific forms of physical activity, are risk or protective factors for LBP remains largely unresolved. Studies in the general population suggest that sedentary behaviour during leisure time is associated with a higher prevalence of LBP [3, 4], yet a recent systematic review found conflicting evidence for the association of LBP with recreational physical activity and sports participation [5].

This controversy might be explained by research indicating that both the prevalence of LBP and the relationship between physical activity and LBP are dependent on a person’s genetic makeup and the environmental conditions in which they have been nurtured. In a recent BIM blog post, Paulo Ferreira cited his systematic review of twin studies to point out that genetic factors play an important role in the development and prevalence of LBP, with estimates of heritability ranging from 21 to 67 % [6]. Furthermore, the protective effect of strenuous physical activity on LBP risk appears to be greater when a co-twin case–control design is used [7].

A co-twin case–control design is a twin study which uses monozygotic and same-sexed dizygotic twin pairs who are discordant for LBP (twin pairs in which one twin reports LBP, but the co-twin does not) as matched pairs. It is an excellent design to assess the contributions of physical activity on LBP risk while controlling for shared early environment and genetics. Our study (recently published in the European Spine Journal [8]) used a co-twin control design to evaluate the association between physical activity and LBP in a sample of Australian twin pairs who were recruited through the Australian twin registry (ATR).

Participants were asked whether they had had LBP in the past 4 weeks (yes/no) and their engagement in physical activity was assessed by the Active Australia Survey, a validated questionnaire that assesses people’s engagement in different forms of recreational physical activities (e.g. walking, swimming, tennis, golf, jogging, cycling, aerobics) of different intensities (light, moderate, vigorous). People’s engagement in domestic physical activities such as vigorous gardening or heavy work around the yard was also assessed. Associations were studied using a cross-sectional analysis of the complete sample with adjustments for age, gender, and smoking history. Furthermore, a matched case–control analysis was performed using all monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs discordant for LBP. In the case–control analysis, the matched pair is the unit of analysis. We ascertained whether there was a difference in the physical activity/no physical activity proportions between the groups (LBP/no LBP).

A total of 486 individual twins (mean age 39.7 years) responded to the questionnaire and were included for analysis. Sixty-nine pairs were discordant for LBP and could be used for a co-twin case-control analysis. The co-twin control analysis showed that heavy domestic physical activity was associated with a three times higher probability of LBP, whereas no significant association was found with any form of recreational physical activity. Engaging in both heavy domestic and recreational physical activity (light walking or moderate/vigorous physical activity) was associated with a three to four times higher probability of LBP compared with engaging in only recreational physical activity. Using the whole sample of 486 individuals, we found weaker associations but in the same direction.

In summary, heavy domestic physical activity is associated with an increased probability of LBP, and the combination of heavy domestic and recreational physical activity might increase the probability of LBP more so than heavy domestic or recreational physical activity alone. The greater associations found in the co-twin case–control analysis indicate that genetic and environmental factors influence the relationship between physical activity and LBP, and demonstrate the value of a twin design.

This pilot study has informed the design of a grant proposal submitted by Paulo Ferreira and his team, aiming to investigate physical activity as a protective or causal factor for back pain using twins registered at the Australian Twin Registry. In this proposal we have addressed the limitations of the pilot study – i.e. cross-sectional design, over- or underestimation of physical activity due to self-report, small sample size – and we expect to generate important knowledge about the causal relationship between LBP and different types and intensities of physical activity. A better understanding of these relationships is crucial for an accurate evaluation of the role of physical activity in predicting outcomes for LBP, and to challenge the one-size-fits-all approach to physical activity with more individualised recommendations.

About Markus

Markus HubscherMarkus Hübscher is a research officer at Neuroscience Research Australia and a member of the pain research group headed by Lorimer Moseley. Before coming to Australia in 2011 to do his postdoc in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Sydney University, he worked for several years as a lecturer and researcher in the Department of Sports Medicine, University of Frankfurt, Germany, where he received his Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Sports Science.

The overarching focus of his research is the prevention and management of musculoskeletal conditions such as spinal pain and sports injuries. He is especially interested in the relationship between pain, biomechanics and sensory-motor control. The role of physical activity and exercise to enhance, maintain or restore performance and musculoskeletal health is another important area of his research.

References

1. Burton, AK, Balague F, Cardon G, Eriksen HR, Henrotin Y, Lahad A, Leclerc A, Muller G, van der Beek AJ (2005). How to prevent low back pain Bes Prac Res Clin Rheumatol, 19 (4), 541-555 DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2005.03.001

2. Chou R, Qaseem A, Snow V, Casey D, Cross JT Jr, Shekelle P, Owens DK (2007). Diagnosis and treatment of low back pain: a joint clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society. Ann of Intern Med, 147 (7), 478-91 PMID: 17909209

3. Heneweer H, Vanhees L, & Picavet HS (2009). Physical activity and low back pain: a U-shaped relation? Pain, 143 (1-2), 21-5 PMID: 19217208

4. Hildebrandt VH, Bongers PM, Dul J, van Dijk FJ, & Kemper HC (2000). The relationship between leisure time, physical activities and musculoskeletal symptoms and disability in worker populations. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 73 (8), 507-18 PMID: 11100945

5. Heneweer H, Staes F, Aufdemkampe G, van Rijn M, & Vanhees L (2011). Physical activity and low back pain: a systematic review of recent literature. Eur Spine J, 20 (6), 826-45 PMID: 21221663

6. Ferreira PH, Beckenkamp P, Maher CG, Hopper JL, & Ferreira ML (2013). Nature or nurture in low back pain? Results of a systematic review of studies based on twin samples. Eur J Pain, 17 (7), 957-71 PMID: 23335362

7. Hartvigsen J, & Christensen K (2007). Active lifestyle protects against incident low back pain in seniors: a population-based 2-year prospective study of 1387 Danish twins aged 70-100 years. Spine, 32 (1), 76-81 PMID: 17202896

8. Hübscher M, Ferreira ML, Junqueira DR, Refshauge KM, Maher CG, Hopper JL, & Ferreira PH (2014). Heavy domestic, but not recreational, physical activity is associated with low back pain: Australian Twin low BACK pain (AUTBACK) study. Eur Spine J PMID: 24619607

Share this