THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOWER BACK PAIN AND LUMBAR TIGHTNESS AMONG KARATE-DO PRACTITIONERS

Abstract

This study investigate the relationship between lower back pain and lumbar tightness in karate-do practitioners.
The subjects, fourteen male of the JKF (Japan Karate-do Federation) national team, underwent a five-item medical scale test twice during their camp training in 2000 to examine the relationship between lumbar tightness and lower back pain, and the results indicated a positive relationship.
They were also asked to respond to a questionnaire regarding their history of back pain in the first test. The test items included: 1. FFD (Floor Finger Distance),2. SLR (Straight Leg Raising),3. CGD (Calcareous Gluteus Distance),4. HIR (Hip Internal Rotation) and 5. HER (Hip External Rotation) tests.
After the first test, they were instructed in stretching and resistance training before beginning a four-month regime of daily exercises. The five-item test was administered again with an interview regarding their lower back pain after completion of the four-month program.
While no significant difference between the first and second tests was observed with respect to the positive rates in FFD and CGD tests, the positive rates of tightness around the lower back in SLR, HER and HIR tests reduced significantly, (P < 0.05, P <0.01) and the incidence rates of lower back pain reduced significantly (P <0.05) after the stretching and resistance-training program. Consequently, HER and HIR tests for karate-do practitioners are effective methods to understand the relation ship between lower back pain and lumbar tightness.
Further long-term studies with more subjects will clarify the relationship between lower back pain and lumbar tightness, and the validity of the five-item tests.