FREQUENCY OF THORACOLUMBAR JUNCTION DYSFUNCTION AMONG EQUESTRIAN POLO ATHLETES

Abstract

Background: Low back pain among equestrian sports is because of the significant connection between thoracolumbar junction dysfunction (TLJD) and its commencement in equestrian sports; appearing as low back ache spreading out to the adjoining sites and structures. Objective: To determine the frequency of Thoracolumbar Junction Dysfunction (TLJD) among Equestrian Polo Athletes Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study with a sample size of n=108 was conducted at different polo clubs of Lahore and Islamabad Pakistan for the duration of 6 months from July 2020 to December 2020. Participants were selected via non-probability convenient sampling technique. Male athletes between 18 to 50 years of age, non-competitive with mechanical low back pain were included in the study. Athletes who fulfill the inclusion criteria were assessed using Robert Maigne’s Gold standard examination protocol. SPSS version 21 was used for data entrance and Descriptive analysis was done to present the results of study. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 36.86±6.65 years, duration in sports was 13.58±4.81 in years and frequency of participation in sports was 3.648±0.75 days per week. Total n=108 athletes were examined for TLJD, 66.7% (n=72) were found to be positive with the thoracolumbar junction dysfunction. Conclusion: Thoracolumbar Junction Dysfunction among Equestrian Polo Athletes was an immensely prevailing condition Keywords: Athletes, athletic injuries, dysfunction, overuse injuries.