Does physical activity level affect low back pain

Objectives :The aim of this study is to determine in the young people whether the physicalactivity level affects the low back pain or not.Method:The cross-sectional study included with 260students (131 females and 129 males). Low back pain (LBP) was determinedwith the validated Oswestry Disability İndex (ODI). The OswestryDisability İndex (ODI) consist of ten items and are completed in reference tothe patient’s functional status ‘today’. Physical activity level was evaluatedby the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)that is a scale to be recorded at different levels of physical activity in thelast week. Results :There was found a negative weak correlation between the ODI and total score ofIPAQ (r = - 0,142; p = 0,01). Male’s total physical activity level was higherthan women, while Oswestry score was significantly lower than women (p<0,05).Smoking and alcohol use was not significantly related to both the IPAQ totaland the ODI (p>0,05). Conclusion : According to the study results, it was understood thatincreasing the level of physical activity in young people is effective inpreventing low back pain. We consider that the awareness of young people mustbe raised with regard to the increasing their physical activity levels. We hopeto conduct a study that will examine the relationship between physical activityand low back pain in all age groups in consideration of socioeconomiccharacteristics and other parameters that may affect low back pain.