The elite athletes who are engaged in repetitive overhead activities do not suffer more from back pain than the physically active controls in spite of the high mechanical load inherent in the sports disciplines. This indicates that other mechanisms may be responsible for back pain prevalences in a positive way in these athletes as explained in a study published in 'PLOS ONE'.

The occurrence of back pain has been assessed in many studies. However, there is still a lack of information regarding the prevalence of back pain in sports activities exposed to the repetitive overhead activity. During vigorous training and competition, elite athletes are exposed to extreme mechanical strain, putting a high level of stress on their musculoskeletal systems. This explains that elite athletes engaged in repetitive overhead activities are more prone to back pain as compared to an active control group.

Daniela Fett and colleagues aimed to investigate the prevalence and exact location of pain in a group of elite athletes undergoing repeated overhead activity and a control group of physically active sports students. In addition, different characteristics of pain and the influence of confounders on back pain were also evaluated. All the participants were validated online questionnaire was filled.

A total of 181 elite athletes from various sports disciplines such as handball, badminton, volleyball, and tennis and 166 physically active controls were enrolled. The participants were selected by a survey conducted by German Olympic Sports Confederation.

The point prevalence, 3-month incidence, 12-month incidence and lifetime prevalence in elite athletes was reported as 38%, 58%, 75%, and 85% respectively. These prevalence rates varied as 43%, 59%, 70% and 81% respectively in the physically active control group. The comparison did not estimate any significant group differences in prevalence rates across all time periods. The central location of back pain was lower back in elite athletes of various disciplines as well as the control group. Also, upper back pain as a distinct problem was also observed in volley ballplayers.

The study authors concluded that the prevalence of back pain did not seem to be higher in elite athletes, however, extensive prevention work should be done in these sports.

The authors stated, " Further research is required to clarify these suppositions and should comprise investigations in which preventive training programs are also used. However, in volleyball players, preventive training should be focused on the upper back and neck."