Title

Predictors for Lower Back Pain for 41 Inner-city Kindergarten thru Third-grade Students

Document Type

Conference Paper

Publication Date

5-2004

Publication Source

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise

Abstract

Back pain prevalence rates in children and adolescents are high, and back pain at a young age has a predictive value on back pain as an adult. Preventing back pain in children through the school system to promote a healthy school environment is contingent upon assessing risk factors for back pain in children and adolescents. Poor abdominal, lower back, and hamstring flexibility and strength may contribute to lower back pain.

PURPOSE: To determine the hamstring flexibility, lower back strength, and abdominal strength of 41 inner-city children ranging from kindergarten to third grade.

METHODS: University of Dayton students/technicians assessed 41 inner-city children's lower back strength (maximal hip and back extensions completed in 30 s), hamstring flexibility (v-sit and reach), and abdominal strength (maximal number of curl-ups completed in 60 s). Individual t-tests were used to compare actual test scores with President's Fitness Challenge standards.

RESULTS:The measured scores for curl-ups and v-sit were significantly lower than the age- and gender-adjusted 85th percentile Presidential Fitness Challenge scores (p<0.0001 and 0.085, respectively). Significant gender and ethnic differences included overall lower scores for females and Caucasians compared to males and African Americans, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Early detection and intervention in grade school children may reduce the incidence of lower back pain in adults.

Inclusive pages

S68

ISBN/ISSN

0195-9131

Comments

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise is the official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine.

Publisher

American College of Sports Medicine

Volume

36

Issue

5

Peer Reviewed

yes

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