The main purpose of this study was to determine whether playing soccer at high
intensity training for a long period causes degeneration of the lumbar spine or not.
This degeneration may occur without any symptoms or low back pain. Results of the
present study were discussed in the framework of lumbar disc degeneration, trunk
strength, lumbar and hip bone mineral density, trunk flexibility, activity MET scores
for active and veteran soccer groups. There have been four subject groups in this
study (15 active soccer players, 15 sedentary participants, 14 veteran soccer players,
13 sedentary participants). The BMD was measured in anterior-posterior view with a
second-generation dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) device. Isokinetic
trunk strength data were recorded with the Biodex System Dynamometer (Biobex
Medical Inc, Shirly, NY) at the 60º / /sec and 120º / /sec. Plain lateral radiographs were
taken. The presence of degenerative changes of each lumbar vertebra was determined
by using the Kellgren and Lowrence Score. A modified Schober test was used to
measure lumbar flexion. Findings of the study demonstrated that veteran soccer
players displayed greater lumbar disc degeneration than other groups. Moreover,
v
active soccer group had more BMD than other groups, but the veteran group& / #8217 / s BMD
results were not different while comparing the control participants. Isokinetic test
findings of the current study, trunk extension strength at 60/sec was significantly
higher in active 1st group players than 2nd group participants, but there were no
significant differences between the 1st group and 2nd group in terms of trunk flexion
strength and agonist/antagonist ratio at 60/sec. In conclusion, Findings of the study
support the main hypothesis that playing soccer at high intensity training at a long
period of time may cause lumbar spine degeneration. Degeneration may occur
without low back symptoms. Moreover, results supported the idea that Soccer can be
accepted an impact loading sport that are to keep or accelerate bone mineral density.
At last, having abnormal trunk extension strength while playing actively may cause
lumbar disc degeneration on the spine at later years. A similar study should be
carried out with a larger number of subjects, and longitudinal studies should be
designed to examine the factors that effect the degeneration on the lumbar spine.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:METU/oai:etd.lib.metu.edu.tr:http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12607487/index.pdf |
| Date | 01 August 2006 |
| Creators | Altunsoz, Omur Serdal |
| Contributors | Korkusuz, Feza |
| Publisher | METU |
| Source Sets | Middle East Technical Univ. |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | M.S. Thesis |
| Format | text/pdf |
| Rights | To liberate the content for public access |
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