Centre of Research in Childhood Health Syddansk Universitet1 Is sports participation protective of back pain in childhood? An interim analysis from a prospective study. Claudia Franz, DC, Ph.D.-student, Centre of Research in Childhood Health, University of Southern Denmark.

Centre of Research in Childhood Health Syddansk Universitet2 Physical activity in children One view – too much no good (Burton, Spine,1996; Kujala, MSSE 1996) Another view- too little no good (Wedderkopp, Spine, 2009)  Backpain?

Centre of Research in Childhood Health Syddansk Universitet3 Ordinary schools 4 schools 500 children Grades 0- 4 (6-10 y) 2 lessons PE weekly ”Business as usual” ”Sports” schools 6 schools 700 children Grades 0-4 (6-10 y) 6 lessons PE weekly Extra PE for teachers Study sample and description

Centre of Research in Childhood Health Syddansk Universitet4 Aim Does physical activity have an impact on back pain reporting in children?

Syddansk Universitet5 SMS Track – Data collection

Syddansk Universitet6 SMS Track – Data collection

Syddansk Universitet7 SMS Track – Data collection

Centre of Research in Childhood Health Syddansk Universitet8 Improving compliance Local council, headmasters, teachers – special program Extra education for PE teachers If pain was reported – free and quick access to medical attention

Centre of Research in Childhood Health Syddansk Universitet9 Preliminary results Incidence rate of back complaints is reduced with 7 % for each hour of sport per week The least active (< 2 hours/week) had an IRR of 1.5 compared to the most active (>6 hours/week)

Centre of Research in Childhood Health Syddansk Universitet10 Conclusion Preliminary analysis indicate that physical activity has an impact on back pain reporting in children Still not known which sports are protective or ”risky” – such analysis will be possible

Centre of Research in Childhood Health Acknowledgements Syddansk Universitet11 Niels Wedderkopp Charlotte Leboeuf-Yde Karsten Frohberg Lars Bo Andersen Niels Christian Møller Eva Jespersen Christina Christiansen Heidi Klakk Tina Junge Malene Heidemann Thomas Jørgensen

Centre of Research in Childhood Health Funding Syddansk Universitet12 Fonden til fremme af kiropraktisk forskning og postgraduat uddannelse Syddansk Universitet Svendborg Kommune, SportsStudySydfyn Rygforskningscenteret, Ringe Pædiatrisk forsknings- enhed, OUH University College Lillebælt Team DK Nordea Fonden IMK Almene Fond TRYG Fonden Østifterne Brd. Hartmann Region Syddanmarks Forskningsråd

Syddansk Universitet13