Longitudinal Study of Spine Abnormalities in Young Skiers
Author Information
Author(s): Feuerriegel Georg C. MD, Meyer Daniela MD, Fitze Daniel P. MSc, Hanimann Jonas MSc, Stern Christoph MD, Schürmann Flavia BMed, Fröhlich Stefan MD, Scherr Johannes MD, Spörri Jörg PhD, Sutter Reto MD
Primary Institution: Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Hypothesis
To longitudinally assess and compare overuse-related spinal intersegmental abnormalities in adolescent competitive alpine skiers over 48 months.
Conclusion
Overuse-related intersegmental abnormalities of the lumbar spine are common in adolescent competitive alpine skiers and may persist throughout skeletal maturation and even worsen during adolescence.
Supporting Evidence
- A significant increase in low back pain affecting training and competition was observed at follow-up.
- 59% of athletes with low back pain reported recurrent symptoms.
- Intersegmental abnormalities did not correlate with low back pain within the last year.
Takeaway
This study found that many young skiers have back problems that can get worse over time, even if they don't feel pain right away.
Methodology
Adolescent competitive alpine skiers underwent 3-T MRI of the lumbar spine at baseline and after 48 months, with assessments of low back pain symptoms through interviews.
Potential Biases
Recall bias may affect the classification of symptoms due to reliance on retrospective interviews.
Limitations
A considerable number of participants withdrew from the study, and the classification of symptomatic and asymptomatic skiers was based on retrospective interviews, which may have led to recall bias.
Participant Demographics
Mean age at follow-up was 19.6 years, with 25 females and 38 males.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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