Lumbopelvic movement control in powerlifters with and without low back pain

Objectives

To measure lumbopelvic movement control in powerlifters with and without low back pain (LBP).

Design

Quantitative Cross-sectional.

Participants

Twelve powerlifters with LBP and 28 powerlifters without LBP.

Setting

Powerlifters were recruited in nine different cities and filmed while performing a movement control test battery.

Main outcome measures

Lumbopelvic movement control test battery consisting of seven tests, with a possible score between 0 and 13. The tests were rated by a physical therapist blinded to the group allocation and comparisons of the frequency of current/incorrect tests between groups were calculated.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in the movement control test battery between the powerlifters with LBP (Median = 7.0, (2–11)) and powerlifters without LBP (Median = 6.0, (1–10)) (P = 0.59). There were no statistically significant differences between groups when the individual movement control tests were analyzed separately.

Conclusions

The lack of significant differences between groups indicates that performance in lumbopelvic movement control test might not be associated with LBP in powerlifters. More studies on associations between LBP and movement control and other body functions are needed to guide assessment and treatment of powerlifters with LBP and for investigation of possible risk factors for LBP in powerlifters.