The evaluation and comparison of the physical characteristics of the college boxing players with/withont low back pain

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate physical characteristics of boxing players with/without low back pain (LBP). Materials and methods: 18 college boxing players were divided into two groups; The first group consisted of eight subjects with LBP (LBP group), the other one consisted of ten subjects without LBP (no LBP group). The evaluation items were as follows: muscular strength of trunk extension/ flexion/ rotation, cross-sectional areas of the muscles of the lumber region, X ray photograph of lumber spine, MRI, general joint laxity test, muscle tightness test, muscle hardness, tenderness and moiré topography. Results: 9 out of 18 subjects showed lumber region abnormalities in their X ray photograph and MRI. The following evaluation items of LBP group read significant differences compared to those of no LBP group; The trunk rotator peak torque was weaker at the angular velocity of 120 deg/sec, the laterality of SLR was significantly larger, while the finger floor distance value indicated significantly lower. Discussion: In LBP group, it is suggested that the decline of trunk flexion muscle strength possibly preceded the fall of trunk extension muscle strength which, however, was not observed.