Back pain and MRI abnormalities in the thoraco-lumbar spine of elite long distance runners. A cross sectional study.

Study designObservational cross-sectional study. Level of evidence 3.ObjectiveThe objective was to investigate the amount of MRI abnormalities in the thoraco-lumbarspine and the prevalence of back pain in male elite long distance runners compared to acontrol group of non-athletes in the corresponding age.Summary of BackgroundStudies have shown that athletes have a higher prevalence of back pain and a greaternumber of spinal abnormalities on MRI, such as disc degeneration, compared to non-athletes. The associations between running and both back pain and spinal MRI abnormalitieshave not been clarified.DataStudy participants were 22 male elite long distance runners (runner group) and 25 male non-athletes (control group) of 18-28 years of age.MethodsBack pain was assessed by a three part self-reported questionnaire. Sagittal T1 and T2weighted MRI examinations from Th5 to sacrum was conducted to evaluate MRIabnormalities according to study protocol.ResultsThe runners reported a significant higher prevalence of back pain (45%), compared to thecontrol group (12%) (P=0.011). No statistical significant difference was found in amount ofMRI verified spinal abnormalities (P=0.614) or type of abnormalities between the groups. Nostatistically significant correlation between back pain and MRI abnormalities wasestablished.ConclusionsElite level male long distance runners have a significant higher prevalence of back pain butdemonstrate no significant difference in the amount or type of spinal abnormalitiescompared to non-athletes. Further prospective studies are needed to validate the results.KeywordsRunning, Low back Pain, young adult, Magnetic resonance imaging, intervertebral discdisplacement, athletes, sports, physical loading, cross sectional studies.