Does physical activity level affect low back pain?

Objectives : The aim of this study is to determine in the young people whether the physical activity level affects the low back pain or not. Method: The cross-sectional study included with 260 students (131 females and 129 males). Low back pain (LBP) was determined with the validated Oswestry Disability ？ndex (ODI). The Oswestry Disability ？ndex (ODI) consist of ten items and are completed in reference to the patient’s functional status ‘today’. Physical activity level was evaluated by the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) that is a scale to be recorded at different levels of physical activity in the last week. Results : There was found a negative weak correlation between the ODI and total score of IPAQ (r = - 0,142; p = 0,01). Male’s total physical activity level was higher than women, while Oswestry score was significantly lower than women (p<0,05). Smoking and alcohol use was not significantly related to both the IPAQ total and the ODI (p>0,05). Conclusion : According to the study results, it was understood that increasing the level of physical activity in young people is effective in preventing low back pain. We consider that the awareness of young people must be raised with regard to the increasing their physical activity levels. We hope to conduct a study that will examine the relationship between physical activity and low back pain in all age groups in consideration of socioeconomic characteristics and other parameters that may affect low back pain