Affiliations: [a] Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria | [b] Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Nnewi, Nigeria
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: O.E. Johnson PhD MNSP Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, ILE-IFE, Nigeria. Tel.: +234 803 350 9316; E-mail: obnik2001@yahoo.co.uk
Abstract: Background and objective:Studies on back extensor endurance in adolescents are scarce. This study sought to establish reference data and pattern of back extensor endurance in school-aged adolescents with and without low-back pain (LBP) from Nigeria. Subjects and methods:This study recruited 625 adolescents aged 11 to 19 years from eight randomly selected secondary schools. The modified Biering-Sørensen test of Static Muscular Endurance (BSME) was used to assess isometric endurance of the back extensors. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected. A modified LBP questionnaire was used to assess the presence of LBP. Descriptive and inferential analyses were used to analyze data. Significance was set at 0.05 α-level. Results:The mean isometric holding time (IHT) of all the participants was 132.9 ± 65.6. Males had significantly higher significant (p=0.026) IHT than females. Adolescents without LBP had a higher significant IHT (p=0.042) than those with reported history of previous LBP and those with present LBP (p=0.000) respectively. Using percentile values, poor endurance was defined as IHT that is < 90.0 s and < 67 s for males and females respectively; medium endurance was defined as IHT that ranged between 90 and 193 s and 67 and 170 s for males and females respectively while good endurance was defined as IHT that is > 193 s and > 170 s for males and females respectively. IHT was significantly related to each of body mass index, hip circumference and waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.05). Conclusion:Isometric back extensors endurance in Nigerian adolescents was comparable to the original Biering-Sørensen mean value. Majority of the participants had medium endurance performance with the back endurance pattern in the ratio 1:2:1. Male had higher isometric back extensors endurance than females. Decreased isometric back extensors endurance was associated with the presence of LBP in adolescents.
Keywords: Back muscles' endurance, Sørensen test, back extensor muscles, isometric-holding time, adolescents, Nigerians
