Factors associated with low levels of lumbar strength in adolescents in Southern Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with low levels of lumbar strength in adolescents.Method: This was a cross-sectional study involving 601 adolescents, aged 14 to 17 years, enrolled in public schools in the western region of Santa catarina State -Southern Brazil. Lumbar strength was analyzed by the lumbar extension test developed by the canadian Society of Exercise Physiology, which proposes different cutoffs for boys and girls. Independent variables were sex, age, socioeconomic status, dietary habits, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and aerobic fitness. For data analysis, univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used, with significance level of 5%. Results: The prevalence of low levels of lumbar strength was 27.3%. The population subgroups most likely to present low levels of lumbar strength were females (OR: 1.54, 95% cI : 1.06 to 2.23), adolescents with low levels of aerobic fitness (OR: 2.10, 95% cI: 1.41 to 3.11) and the overweight (OR: 2.28, 95% cI: 1.35 to 3.81). Conclusion: Almost one-third of the studied students have low levels of lumbar strength. Interventions in the school population should be taken with special attention to female adolescents, those with low levels of aerobic fitness, and those with overweight, as these population subgroups were most likely to demostrate low levels of lumbar strength.

Prevalence and factors associated with low lumbar strength in adolescents

“…The prevalence found for the low level of lumbar force of adolescents was 45.2%, similar to studies carried out with students from southern Brazil 6,23 . This finding is worrying because low rates of lumbar force have been reported in the literature as a risk factor for the development of some dysfunctions such as low back pain and postural distortions in different age groups, increasing the chances of lumbar complaints [2][3][4]12 .…”

“…As presented in previous studies 6,11 , adolescents who were overweight were more likely to have low levels of lumbar force. This is justified because overweight individuals have lower percentages of muscle mass and the accumulation of central fat promotes the protrusion of the abdomen, leading to distension and weakness of the abdominal musculature, which can result in lower performance in the physical test used.…”

“…Thus, different levels of actions aimed at student health can be used to reverse this situation. Effective intervention programs that prioritize the promotion and maintenance of satisfactory levels of lumbar force are required1, especially by encouraging the practice of physical activity [6][7][8] and food re-education 5 to reduce excess body adiposity 12 .…”

“…In addition, studies indicate that female and adolescents with inadequate lifestyle habits such as physical inactivity, sedentary behavior and overweight are the subgroups vulnerable to frequent low back complaints among adolescents 5,6 . Surveys have shown that another possible cause of low back pain is associated with low levels of lumbar force [7][8][9] .…”

Low aerobic fitness in Brazilian adolescents

“…There is some evidence on the aerobic fitness of Brazilian adolescents [4][5][6] ; however, most of these studies 4,6 have been done in small towns, with built environments and lifestyle behaviors different from state capitals, which are fundamentally different, more populous, and with increased risk of acquisition of risk factors for the development of chronic diseases 7 . This study aims to fill this scientific gap in relation to the scarcity of studies on aerobic fitness of adolescents living in Brazilian capitals and identify correlates of aerobic fitness in an effort to direct future interventions at subgroups of adolescents who have low aerobic fitness.…”