Postural Control and Plantar Pressure Symmetry in Male and Female Athletes With Chronic Low Back Pain When Performing Overhead Squat

Background: Low Back Pain (LBP) is one of the most prevalent problems associated with sport activities. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between pain and plantar pressure variables. In addition, we compared these variables in male and female athletes with LBP. Methods: In this study, ۴۷ participants with the age range of ۱۸ to ۲۵ years were selected (۲۲ males and ۲۵ females). Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the LBP severity. The plantar pressure variables were recorded using a plantar pressure measurement device (model: Foot pressing FDM-S) made by Zebris Company. Results: Length of minor axis (p male= ۰.۰۲۰, p female= ۰.۲۲۷), length of major axis (p male= ۰.۰۴۱, p female= ۰.۰۱۱), area of sway (p male= ۰.۰۰۰۱, p female= ۰.۰۰۷), path length (p male= ۰.۰۵۳, p female= ۰.۰۰۱), velocity of sway (p male= ۰.۰۲۳, p female= ۰.۰۰۸), and standard deviation X (p male= ۰.۰۴۸, p female= ۰.۱۴۷) of the COP variables had a positive and significant relationship with the pain. The symmetry of plantar pressure variables did not show strong correlation with the pain intensity (p>۰.۰۵). The COP variables also showed a significant difference in area of sway (p=۰.۰۴۲), path length (p=۰.۰۴۴), and standard deviation X (p=۰.۰۴۳) between the males and females. Females had more oscillations than males, but there was no difference in the symmetry of plantar pressure variables between the males and females (p>۰.۰۵). Conclusion: LBP is a factor that can impair the postural control, resulting in increased risk of injury among the athletes with LBP, especially in females.

Keywords:

Chronic low back pain , Plantar pressure , Athletes , Visual Analogue Scale