Association of Back Pain with Spinal Hypermobility and Static Trunk Endurance in Ballroom Dancers

Abstract

Background. Low back pain is one of the most common problems among ballroom dancers.

The aim. To determine the correlations between the hypermobility of the lumbar spine, lower back pain and static endurance of the trunk muscles in sports dancers.

Methods. 36 ballroom dancers (50% males and 50% females) between the ages of 16 and 22 participated in the study. The subjects filled out a questionnaire, inclinometry was performed to determine the amplitudes of spinal movements, the static endurance of the trunk muscles was assessed according to the McGill methodology, and the intensity of the felt pain was assessed on the analog pain scale.

Results. 72.2% of dancers have experienced lower back pain at least once in their life. The average back pain intensity for males was 2.17 ± 2.92 p., and for females – 3.56 ± 2.66 (p< 0.05). The amplitude of back extension was 28.1° for dancers with back pain, and 22.2° for those without. The average endurance of the back muscles of the subjects who felt pain was 101s, and 117s for those who did not. The average endurance of the left side of the trunk muscles was 70s in subjects with low back pain and 83s in subjects without. A statistically significant difference was found between pain sensation and extension amplitude (p<0.05) and pain sensation and static endurance of trunk muscles (p<0.05).

Conclusion. The more intense the pain, the greater the amplitude of the spine. With lower back pain the static endurance of the muscles of the back and left side of the trunk was shorter.

Keywords: hypermobility of the spine, back pain, static endurance of the trunk muscles, sports dancing.