Centre of Research in Childhood Health

Syddansk Universitet 1

Is sports participation protective of back pain in childhood?An interim analysis from a prospective study. Claudia Franz, DC, Ph.D.-student, Centre of Research in Childhood Health,University of Southern Denmark.

Centre of Research in Childhood Health

Syddansk Universitet 2

Physical activity in children

• One view – too much no good (Burton, Spine,1996; Kujala, MSSE 1996)

• Another view- too little no good (Wedderkopp, Spine, 2009)

Backpain?

Centre of Research in Childhood Health

Syddansk Universitet 3

Study sample and description

Centre of Research in Childhood Health

Syddansk Universitet 4

Aim

Does physical activity have an impact on back pain reporting in children?

Syddansk Universitet 5

SMS Track – Data collection

Syddansk Universitet 6

SMS Track – Data collection

Syddansk Universitet 7

SMS Track – Data collection

Centre of Research in Childhood Health

Syddansk Universitet 8

Improving compliance

• Local council, headmasters, teachers – special program• Extra education for PE teachers • If pain was reported – free and quick access to medical attention

Centre of Research in Childhood Health

Syddansk Universitet 9

Preliminary results

• Incidence rate of back complaints is reduced with 7 % for each hour of sport per week

• The least active (< 2 hours/week) had an IRR of 1.5 compared to the most active (>6 hours/week)

Centre of Research in Childhood Health

Syddansk Universitet 10

Conclusion

• Preliminary analysis indicate that physical activity has an impact on back pain reporting in children • Still not known which sports are protective or ”risky” – such analysis will be possible

Centre of Research in Childhood Health

Acknowledgements

Syddansk Universitet 11

• Niels Wedderkopp• Charlotte Leboeuf-Yde• Karsten Frohberg• Lars Bo Andersen • Niels Christian Møller • Eva Jespersen • Christina Christiansen• Heidi Klakk• Tina Junge• Malene Heidemann• Thomas Jørgensen

Centre of Research in Childhood Health

Funding

Syddansk Universitet 12

• Fonden til fremme af kiropraktisk forskning og postgraduat uddannelse • Syddansk Universitet• Svendborg Kommune, SportsStudySydfyn• Rygforskningscenteret, Ringe• Pædiatrisk forsknings- enhed, OUH• University College Lillebælt•

• Team DK • Nordea Fonden• IMK Almene Fond• TRYG Fonden• Østifterne • Brd. Hartmann• Region Syddanmarks Forskningsråd

Syddansk Universitet 13