Prevention and Treatment of Low Back Pain in Young Female TeamGym Gymnasts

NCT ID: NCT04778215

Last Updated: 2021-03-03

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 258 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2009-03-31
• Study Completion Date: 2010-06-30

Brief Summary

Specific stabilization training targeting the deep trunk muscles has shown good effect in the rehabilitation of Low Back Pain (LBP) in young female TeamGym (TG) gymnasts. However, if this training can prevent LBP in this young population remains to be investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate if a specific lumbar stabilization program can reduce and prevent LBP in young female TG gymnasts.

Detailed Description

Objectives: To study if a progressive specific lumbar stabilization program can reduce and prevent low back pain (LBP) in young female TeamGym (TG) gymnasts aged 10-16 years.

Design A cluster randomized controlled intervention study

Participants: All available competitive youth female TG teams including gymnasts aged 10-16 years, in the area of Stockholm, were invited to participate in the present study. A team consists of approximately 16 gymnasts. Fourteen out of 17 teams and a total of 258 gymnasts accepted to participate. Gymnasts and parents were informed about the study and written consent was collected. A cluster randomization process was undertaken as follows: the gymnasts in each team answered questions at inclusion and the teams were matched with respect to age, level of competition, amount of training sessions per week and reports of LBP. LBP in this study was defined as; "pain between the 12th rib and the gluteal fold". Thereafter a cluster randomization took place. This means that all gymnasts in one team were either in the control or in the intervention group. There were no differences with respect to demographic and training data and reports of LBP between the two groups at randomization. Ninety gymnasts did not report LBP at inclusion or during baseline and were included in a subgroup analysis on the preventive effect of the exercise program.

Methods Every week the gymnasts were visited by a registered physical therapist (RPT). The RPT answered questions from the gymnasts concerning injuries and collected a weekly-based questionnaire. The gymnasts in the intervention group were instructed to perform an eight-week progressive specific lumbar stabilization program, implemented in the warm-up at every training session. The gymnasts answered a weekly based questionnaire regarding training and LBP during the intervention period, and thereafter a questionnaire at 3-, 6- and 12 months follow-up. The gymnasts and the coaches were also instructed to continue with the lumbar stabilization program after the intervention period.

Conditions

Low Back Pain

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: OTHER
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Intervention group

progressive, 8 week lumbar stabilizing program

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

A progressive specific lumbar stabilization program

Intervention Type: OTHER

The aim of these programs is to optimize the stabilization and control of segmental motion of the lumbar spine. It is based on the draw-in action, hereafter called the abdominal hollowing, presented by Richardson and Jull (1995). The training program consists of three levels. Level 1 introduces the abdominal hollowing exercise in the prone and four-point kneeling position. Level 2 is a progression of these exercises and the gymnasts are also instructed to perform the abdominal hollowing standing on a balance board with slightly flexed knees while slowly moving the arms. Level 3 takes the training into sports specificity and the abdominal hollowing are to be held during three different basic trampette jumps with emphasis on good trunk and body control during jumping and landing.

Control group

Continue as usual

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

A progressive specific lumbar stabilization program

The aim of these programs is to optimize the stabilization and control of segmental motion of the lumbar spine. It is based on the draw-in action, hereafter called the abdominal hollowing, presented by Richardson and Jull (1995). The training program consists of three levels. Level 1 introduces the abdominal hollowing exercise in the prone and four-point kneeling position. Level 2 is a progression of these exercises and the gymnasts are also instructed to perform the abdominal hollowing standing on a balance board with slightly flexed knees while slowly moving the arms. Level 3 takes the training into sports specificity and the abdominal hollowing are to be held during three different basic trampette jumps with emphasis on good trunk and body control during jumping and landing.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Other Intervention Names

Draw-in-action, abdominal hollowing, core

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• female TeamGym teams, aged 10-16 years, in the Stockholm area
• competing at national or international level

Exclusion Criteria

• male TeamGym gymnasts
• female TeamGym teams on a regional competitive level

• Minimum Eligible Age: 10 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 16 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Karolinska Institutet

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Marita Löfgren Harringe

PhD

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Marita L Harringe, PhD,RPT

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Karolinska Institutet

Locations

Karolinska Institutet, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Stockholm Sports Trauma Research Center

Stockholm, , Sweden

Countries

Sweden

Other Identifiers

Dnr 4646/2011-631

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

KI2009/1414-31/3

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id