Being physically active is often suggested to be important in the prevention and management of low back pain. This simple view does not take into account that the relation between the level of activity and back pain may be a U-shaped curve - i.e. both inactivity and excessive activities (back-unhealthy activity) present an increased risk for back pain. We explored the U-shaped association between physical activity and chronic low back pain (3 months duration) by analyzing cross-sectional data from the Dutch population-based Musculoskeletal Complaints and Consequences Cohort study (DMC(3), 1998) of a sex-age stratified sample of 25 years and older (n=3364). Type of activity (daily routine, leisure time and sport activity), intensity of and time spent on these activities, and back exertion of sport activities were taken into account. Physical activity was not associated with chronic low back pain (CLBP) when studied by the dimension of activity, by the intensity or by the duration of physical activity. Only engaging in sport activity was associated with less CLBP (OR 0.78: 95% CI 0.66-0.93). The extremes of the total physical activity pattern were associated with CLBP. A moderate increased risk for CLBP was found for both participants with a sedentary lifestyle (OR 1.31: 95% CI 1.08-1.58) and for those being involved in physical strenuous activities (OR 1.22: 95% CI 1.00-1.49). This was especially true for women (sedentary: OR 1.44: 95% CI 1.10-1.83; physically active: OR 1.36: 95% CI 1.04-1.78). This study provides some evidence that the relation between physical activity and CLBP is U-shaped.

The objective of the study is to systematically evaluate the available evidence on the association between physical activity (i.e. occupational load and non-occupational physical activities) and low back pain (LBP). A systematic approach was used to explore the literature between 1999 and 2009. Studies were selected for inclusion following a comprehensive search of Medline, Embase and CINAHL. The methodological quality of each study was assessed. Studies were considered to be of 'high quality' if they met the cut-off criterion of 60% of the maximum available quality score. Thirty-six cohort or case-control studies were retrieved. Heavy workload and the accumulation of loads or frequency of lifts were moderate to strong risk factors for LBP. Strong associations were found for flexed, rotated and the awkward positions of the lumbar spine. Inconsistent results were found for leisure time physical activities, sports and physical exercise. Studies focusing on daily habitual physical activities (e.g. domestic activities and commuting) in association with LBP are lacking. In conclusion, the occurrence of LBP is related to the nature and intensity of the physical activities undertaken. However, physical activities can be subdivided into separate types and intensities and the ultimate physical load is the sum of all these activities. This makes it difficult to designate one particular activity as the cause of LBP.

Introduction Physical activity is suggested to be important for low back pain (LBP) but a major problem is the limited validity of the measurement of physical activities, which is usually based on questionnaires. Physical fitness can be viewed as a more objective measurement and our question was how physical activity based on self-reports and objective measured levels of physical fitness were associated with LBP. Materials and methods We analyzed cross-sectional data of 1,723 police employees. Physical activity was assessed by questionnaire (SQUASH) measuring type of activity, intensity, and time spent on these activities. Physical fitness was based on muscular dynamic endurance capacity and peak oxygen uptake (VO 2 peak). Severe LBP, interfering with functioning, was defined by pain ratings C4 on a scale of 0-10. Results Higher levels of physical fitness, both muscular and aerobic, were associated with less LBP (OR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.34-0.86, respectively, 0.59: 95%CI: 0.35-0.99). For self-reported physical activity, both a low and a high level of the total physical activity pattern were associated with an increase of LBP (OR: 1.52; 95%CI: 1.00-2.31, respectively, 1.60; 95%CI: 1.05-2.44). Conclusion These findings suggest that physical activity of an intensity that improves physical fitness may be important in the prevention of LBP.

The study strongly revealed pain-related items to be essential factors in the development of chronicity and long-term disability in primary care physical therapy. Health status at 8 weeks seems crucial in developing chronicity.