This study aims to determine the prevalence of NSLBP and SD, and to evaluate their association in amateur overhead athletes at a tertiary institution in Gauteng, South Africa. By doing so, it seeks to address a gap in current physiotherapy practices regarding the management of these conditions in overhead athletes.
A non-experimental cross-sectional design was employed, with convenience sampling of 52 overhead athletes (both males and females) from a population of 84. The participants ranged in age from 18 to 30 years and were involved in sports such as cricket, volleyball, and tennis. Athletes with shoulder or back surgery within the past five years were excluded. Data collection involved the Keele Start Back Tool for NSLBP, the Scapular Dyskinesia Test, and the Latissimus Dorsi Length Test to assess scapular function. Testing was conducted in a controlled sports complex environment by trained assessors. Statistical analysis using the Likelihood Ratio Chi-Square test was performed to evaluate associations between NSLBP and SD.
The prevalence of scapular dyskinesia among participants was 58%, while NSLBP was reported in 25% of athletes. A moderate association was observed between NSLBP and SD, with an odds ratio of 3.167, indicating that athletes with SD were over three times more likely to experience NSLBP. The limited sample size, however, affects the generalizability of the findings, and further research with a larger cohort is recommended to validate these results.
This study demonstrates a moderate association between NSLBP and SD in amateur overhead athletes, underscoring the need for physiotherapists to address scapular mechanics in their treatment plans for back pain. Early identification and targeted interventions for scapular dysfunction could not only reduce NSLBP prevalence but also prevent other related injuries in overhead athletes. Further research should expand on these findings by including larger and more diverse athlete populations.
The findings suggest that addressing scapular dyskinesia in physiotherapy practice could reduce the prevalence of NSLBP and improve overall athletic performance and quality of life for overhead athletes. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge needed to develop more comprehensive, preventive care strategies for athletes prone to scapular and lumbar issues. Physiotherapists working with overhead athletes should integrate assessments and interventions for both shoulder and lumbar spine health.
Non-Specific Low Back Pain
Overhead Athletes
