# Low Back Pain in South African Adolescent Field Hockey Players: Implications for Future Practice

## TL;DR

This study found that over half of South African adolescent male field hockey players experience low back pain, suggesting a need for better prevention and management strategies.

## Contribution

The study provides new prevalence and incidence data for low back pain in male adolescent field hockey players in South Africa.

## Key findings

- 63.2% of players experienced low back pain over a 3-month period.
- Only 44.2% of participants with low back pain sought medical treatment.
- Low back pain was most commonly located in the middle to low back region.

## Abstract

Background: Field hockey is a popular sport, globally. Players repeatedly perform a combination of forward flexion and rotational movements, predisposing them to pain/injury. This study aimed to determine the 3-month period prevalence and incidence (number of new cases) of low back pain (LBP) in male adolescent field hockey players, its characteristics and association with selected risk factors, and treatment approaches. Methods: A questionnaire-based study was administered to 112 male adolescent players, and included sections on demographics, injury characteristics and professional care sought. Results: Sixty-eight questionnaires were completed (67% participation rate); period prevalence of LBP was 63.2% (35.0%: at the beginning of the season, 32.4%: at mid-season, 22.1%: at end-season); incidence was 38.2%. The most common location for LBP was the middle to low back region (39.5%); the most common duration of pain was a few hours (32.6%). Most participants (79.1%) did not classify their pain as a disability; only 44.2% of participants received medical treatment. Conclusions: Despite focusing on a specific group of adolescents, this study revealed a comparable, yet slightly elevated, prevalence of LBP compared to earlier research predominantly involving female populations. Consequently, we recommend the development, implementation, and rigorous evaluation of targeted strategies for the prevention and management of LBP within the sport of field hockey.