The role of overweight, obesity and exercise therapy on low-back pain

Introduction and purpose: Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of impairment worldwide and its occurrence is still growing. There are many modifiable risk factors contributing to developing LBP, especially obesity, smoking and physical work. In spite of a breakthrough in pharmacotherapy, lifestyl...

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Main Authors: Karol Zagórski, Mateusz Kozik, Nina Skalska-Dziobek, Weronika Małagocka, Karolina Chybowska, Maria Naruszewicz, Aleksandra Midro, Przemysław Cetnarowski
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń 2024-12-01
Series:Quality in Sport
Subjects:
Online Access:https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/56440
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author Karol Zagórski
Mateusz Kozik
Nina Skalska-Dziobek
Weronika Małagocka
Karolina Chybowska
Maria Naruszewicz
Aleksandra Midro
Przemysław Cetnarowski
author_facet Karol Zagórski
Mateusz Kozik
Nina Skalska-Dziobek
Weronika Małagocka
Karolina Chybowska
Maria Naruszewicz
Aleksandra Midro
Przemysław Cetnarowski
author_sort Karol Zagórski
collection DOAJ
description Introduction and purpose: Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of impairment worldwide and its occurrence is still growing. There are many modifiable risk factors contributing to developing LBP, especially obesity, smoking and physical work. In spite of a breakthrough in pharmacotherapy, lifestyle changes and exercise remain the primary prophylactic and treatment options. The aim of this paper was to summarize the data available in the literature and recent reports about the effect of obesity and overweight on LBP and the effectiveness of different exercise programs. Material and methods: The literature was reviewed in the PubMed database, GoogleScholar and the Embase database with the use of keywords. State of knowledge: Obesity and overweight measured by BMI and other indicators are associated with LBP. Waist circumference (WC), recommended by WHO to measure central obesity was found to increase the risk of chronic LBP by 30%, but a stronger correlation between obesity and LBP was found among the female population. Furthermore, there is low-to-moderate evidence that exercise therapy is superior to conservative treatment, when it comes to decreasing pain severity in low back pain. All in all, aerobic, Pilates, core strengthening and stabilization and flexibility exercises were effective in reducing pain with no significant differences between the particular types of training. Summary: The information gathered indicates that obesity and overweight are essential risk factors for LBP. Also, various forms of exercise therapy help patients decrease pain in chronic LBP, however, they should be prescribed individually including preference and fitness level to promote compliance.
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publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
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series Quality in Sport
spelling doaj-art-02d350eecfde4bca8e884f3c92eea9a62025-08-20T02:40:04ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182024-12-013610.12775/QS.2024.36.56440The role of overweight, obesity and exercise therapy on low-back painKarol Zagórski0https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6407-8075Mateusz Kozik1https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6078-2836Nina Skalska-Dziobek2https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3755-0350Weronika Małagocka3https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3714-9278Karolina Chybowska4https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0660-2645Maria Naruszewicz5https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2417-6937Aleksandra Midro6https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3915-8406Przemysław Cetnarowski7https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1940-0003Edward Szczeklik Specialist Hospital in Tarnów, PolandStefan Żeromski Specialist Hospital in Cracow, PolandEdward Szczeklik Specialist Hospital in Tarnów, PolandStefan Żeromski Specialist Hospital in Cracow, PolandUniversity Clinical Hospital in Bialystok, PolandUniversity Hospital in Cracow, PolandUniversity Hospital in Cracow, PolandGabriel Narutowicz Specialist Municipal Hospital in Cracow, Poland Introduction and purpose: Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of impairment worldwide and its occurrence is still growing. There are many modifiable risk factors contributing to developing LBP, especially obesity, smoking and physical work. In spite of a breakthrough in pharmacotherapy, lifestyle changes and exercise remain the primary prophylactic and treatment options. The aim of this paper was to summarize the data available in the literature and recent reports about the effect of obesity and overweight on LBP and the effectiveness of different exercise programs. Material and methods: The literature was reviewed in the PubMed database, GoogleScholar and the Embase database with the use of keywords. State of knowledge: Obesity and overweight measured by BMI and other indicators are associated with LBP. Waist circumference (WC), recommended by WHO to measure central obesity was found to increase the risk of chronic LBP by 30%, but a stronger correlation between obesity and LBP was found among the female population. Furthermore, there is low-to-moderate evidence that exercise therapy is superior to conservative treatment, when it comes to decreasing pain severity in low back pain. All in all, aerobic, Pilates, core strengthening and stabilization and flexibility exercises were effective in reducing pain with no significant differences between the particular types of training. Summary: The information gathered indicates that obesity and overweight are essential risk factors for LBP. Also, various forms of exercise therapy help patients decrease pain in chronic LBP, however, they should be prescribed individually including preference and fitness level to promote compliance. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/56440LBPLow back painobesityoverweightphysical activity
spellingShingle Karol Zagórski
Mateusz Kozik
Nina Skalska-Dziobek
Weronika Małagocka
Karolina Chybowska
Maria Naruszewicz
Aleksandra Midro
Przemysław Cetnarowski
The role of overweight, obesity and exercise therapy on low-back pain
Quality in Sport
LBP
Low back pain
obesity
overweight
physical activity
title The role of overweight, obesity and exercise therapy on low-back pain
title_full The role of overweight, obesity and exercise therapy on low-back pain
title_fullStr The role of overweight, obesity and exercise therapy on low-back pain
title_full_unstemmed The role of overweight, obesity and exercise therapy on low-back pain
title_short The role of overweight, obesity and exercise therapy on low-back pain
title_sort role of overweight obesity and exercise therapy on low back pain
topic LBP
Low back pain
obesity
overweight
physical activity
url https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/56440
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