Adolescent flexibility, endurance strength, and physical activity as predictors of adult tension neck, low back pain, and knee injury: a 25 year follow up study

L. Mikkelsson, H, Nupponen, J, Kaprio, H, Kautiainen, M, Mikkelsso , and U. Kujala

British Journal of Sports Medicine 2006; 0:107-113

This study examined whether adolescent flexibility, endurance strength, and physical activity can predict the later occurrence of recurrent low back pain, tension neck, or knee injury.

In 1976, 520 men and 605 women participated in a sit and reach test (flexibility) and a 30-second sit up test (endurance strength). In 1976 and 2001, they completed a questionnaire. Lifetime occurrence and risk of self reported low back pain and self reported, physician diagnosed tension neck and knee injury were calculated for subjects.

Men with the highest flexibility were at lower risk of tension neck than those with the lowest. Women with the highest endurance strength were at lower risk of tension neck than those with the lowest. Men with the highest endurance strength were at higher risk of knee injury than those from the lowest. Men who at school age participated in physical activity were at lower risk of recurrent low back pain than those who did not.

Conclusions. Overall good flexibility in boys and good endurance strength in girls may contribute to a decreased risk of tension neck. High endurance strength in boys may indicate an increased risk of knee injury.