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. 2023 Dec 18;31(6):e266012.
doi: 10.1590/1413-785220233105e266012. eCollection 2023.

LOW BACK PAIN ESTIMATES IN PROFESSIONAL SOCCER: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Juliano Bergamaschine Mata Diz  1 , Maria Theresa Pereira Dutra  1 , Isabella Cheremetta Feijó  1 , Ana Luíza Morais Sogno  1 , Fernanda Rezende Silva  1 , Giovanna DE Faria Carnevale  1 , Bruno DE Souza Moreira  2 , Carlos Fernando Moreira Silva  1
Affiliations

LOW BACK PAIN ESTIMATES IN PROFESSIONAL SOCCER: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Juliano Bergamaschine Mata Diz et al. Acta Ortop Bras. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To evaluate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of low back pain (LBP) in adult professional soccer players.

Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Results: The review included 44 studies. The pooled prevalence of LBP during ≤ 1 season was 1% (95%CI = 0-4%) in men. The pooled point prevalence of LBP was 25% (95%CI = 16-36%) in men and 28% (95%CI = 20-37%) in women. The pooled past-year prevalence of LBP was 34% (95%CI = 24-44%) in men. The pooled lifetime prevalence of LBP was 32% (95%CI = 25-39%) in men and 50% (95%CI = 32-69%) in women. The pooled frequency of LBP/total number of injuries was 2% (95%CI = 1-3%) in men and 4% (95%CI = 2-5%) in women. The pooled incidence rate of LBP/1,000 player-hours of exposure was 0.30 (95%CI = 0.17- 0.53) in men and 0.32 (95%CI = 0.06 -1.87) in women. The recurrence of LBP ranged from 3% to 63% in men. The intensity of LBP ranged from 1.68 (2.39) to 4.87 (2.14) points on a 0-10 scale (minimum = 0 and maximum = 8 points). The severity of LBP (days absent from professional activities due to pain) ranged from 2 (0) to 10 (19) days (minimum = 1 and maximum = 28 days).

Conclusion: Adult elite soccer players have a substantial prevalence of LBP. The frequency and incidence of LBP (compared with other conditions and sports) seems to be low. Estimates of the recurrence, intensity, and severity of LBP are uncertain. Level of Evidence II, Systematic Review of Level II Studies.

Objetivo: Investigar as características epidemiológicas e clínicas da lombalgia em jogadores profissionais de futebol.

Métodos: Revisão sistemática e metanálise.

Resultados: A revisão incluiu 44 estudos. A prevalência combinada de lombalgia em até uma temporada foi de 1% (IC95% = 0-4%) em homens. A prevalência pontual combinada de lombalgia foi de 25% (IC95% = 16-36%) em homens e 28% (IC95% = 20-37%) em mulheres. A prevalência combinada de lombalgia no último ano foi de 34% (IC95% = 24-44%) em homens. A prevalência combinada de lombalgia ao longo da vida foi de 32%(IC95% = 25-39%) em homens e 50% (IC95% = 32-69%) em mulheres. A frequência combinada de lombalgia/número total de lesões foi de 2% (IC95% = 1-3%) em homens e 4% (IC95% = 2-5%) em mulheres. A taxa de incidência combinada de lombalgia/1.000 jogador-horas de exposição foi de 0,30 (IC95% = 0,17-0,53) em homens e 0,32 (IC95% = 0,06-1,87) em mulheres. A recorrência de lombalgia variou entre 3-63% em homens. A intensidade da lombalgia variou entre 1,68 (2,39)-4,87 (2,14) pontos em uma escala de 0-10 (mínimo = 0; máximo = 8 pontos). A gravidade da lombalgia (ausência das atividades profissionais devido à dor) variou entre 2 (0)-10 (19) dias (mínimo = 1; máximo = 28 dias).

Conclusão: Jogadores de futebol profissional apresentam alta prevalência de lombalgia substancial. A frequência e a incidência da lombalgia parecem ser baixas comparadas a outros esportes e condições. As estimativas de recorrência, intensidade e gravidade da lombalgia são incertas. Nível de Evidência II, Revisão Sistemática de Estudos de Nível II.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Low Back Pain; Prevalence; Professional Athletes; Soccer; Sports.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no potential conflict of interest related to this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. PRISMA flowchart of studies in the review (k = 44).
Figure 2
Figure 2. Risk of bias summary of the included studies (k = 44).
Figure 3
Figure 3. Meta-analyses with pooled prevalence estimates of low back pain in professional soccer players, according to the total number of players, reported in each included study (k = 19).
Figure 4
Figure 4. Meta-analyses with pooled frequency estimates of low back pain in professional soccer players, according to the total number of injuries, reported in each included study (k = 34).
Figure 5
Figure 5. Doi plot of Z-score by double arcsine prevalence (k = 33).
Figure 6
Figure 6. Meta-analyses with pooled incidence rates of low back pain in professional soccer players, according to 1,000 player-hours of exposure, reported in each included study (k = 23).
Figure 7
Figure 7. Doi plot of Z-score by rate (k = 23).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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