PSYCHOLOGICAL AND COMPETITIVE DETERMINANTS OF LOW BACK PAIN KNOWLEDGE AMONG COMPETITIVE ROWERS
Author(s)
Zoltan Alfoldi, PhD1, Annamaria Pakai, MSc, RN, PhD2, Ferenc Ihász, M.Sc., PhD, Habil3, Imre Boncz, MSc, PhD, MD4, László Suszter, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.5, Ivan Petrov, B.Sc., M.Sc.6, Anna Horváth-Pápai, MSc7, Edmond Girasek, M.Sc. Ph.D.3;
1University of Gyor, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, Department of Health Promotion and Exercise Science, Gyor, Hungary, 2University of Pécs Faculty of Health Science, Pécs, Hungary, 3University of Győr, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, Győr, Hungary, 4University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary, 5Eszterházy Károly Catholic University, Institute of Sport Sciences, Sport and Health Sciences Research Group, Eger, Hungary, 6University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Doctoral School, Pécs, Hungary, 7University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Doctoral School, Hungary
1University of Gyor, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, Department of Health Promotion and Exercise Science, Gyor, Hungary, 2University of Pécs Faculty of Health Science, Pécs, Hungary, 3University of Győr, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, Győr, Hungary, 4University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary, 5Eszterházy Károly Catholic University, Institute of Sport Sciences, Sport and Health Sciences Research Group, Eger, Hungary, 6University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Doctoral School, Pécs, Hungary, 7University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Doctoral School, Hungary
OBJECTIVES: Low back pain (LBP) represents a substantial health and performance burden in rowing, with growing emphasis on prevention-oriented education and athlete health literacy. However, limited evidence exists on psychological and demographic determinants of LBP-related knowledge in competitive rowers.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from a self-collected survey sample of competitive rowers (N = 222), recruited from rowing clubs in Hungary. Data were collected at the club and individual athlete level. The primary outcome was a total score on the Low Back Pain Knowledge Questionnaire (LKQ). Linear regression model was executed with LKQ as dependent variable, and independent variables included age (years), sex (male/female), competitive status (club competitor vs. non-competitor), body dissatisfaction and bulimia subscales of the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), and competitive anxiety measured by the Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT). Multivariable linear regression was applied.
RESULTS: The linear regression model was significant (p<0.001), the model explained 20.3% of variance (R² = 0.203). Mean LKQ total score was [12,4236 ± SD]. Age showed a positive association with LKQ total (Beta = [0.310], p < [0.001 ]). Female athletes demonstrated higher LKQ scores compared with males (Beta = 0.186 p =0.003 ([11.5414 ± 5.67136] vs. [13.4429 ± 4,98714], p = 0.009). Club competitors had significantly lower LKQ scores than non-competitors (Beta = -0.174, p= 0.005 [13.6745 ± 5.10153] vs. [11.1728 ± 5.49524], p < 0.001 ]). Body dissatisfaction (Beta = [-0.184 ], p = [0.005 ]) and bulimia subscale scores (Beta = [-0.133 ], p = [0.038 ]) were negatively associated with LKQ total, while SCAT scores were positively associated (Beta = [0.171 ], p = [0.038 ]).
CONCLUSIONS: LBP-related knowledge in rowers is influenced by demographic, competitive, and psychological factors. Integrating injury-prevention education with mental health and body image-sensitive interventions may improve athlete health literacy and support sustainable performance.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from a self-collected survey sample of competitive rowers (N = 222), recruited from rowing clubs in Hungary. Data were collected at the club and individual athlete level. The primary outcome was a total score on the Low Back Pain Knowledge Questionnaire (LKQ). Linear regression model was executed with LKQ as dependent variable, and independent variables included age (years), sex (male/female), competitive status (club competitor vs. non-competitor), body dissatisfaction and bulimia subscales of the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), and competitive anxiety measured by the Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT). Multivariable linear regression was applied.
RESULTS: The linear regression model was significant (p<0.001), the model explained 20.3% of variance (R² = 0.203). Mean LKQ total score was [12,4236 ± SD]. Age showed a positive association with LKQ total (Beta = [0.310], p < [0.001 ]). Female athletes demonstrated higher LKQ scores compared with males (Beta = 0.186 p =0.003 ([11.5414 ± 5.67136] vs. [13.4429 ± 4,98714], p = 0.009). Club competitors had significantly lower LKQ scores than non-competitors (Beta = -0.174, p= 0.005 [13.6745 ± 5.10153] vs. [11.1728 ± 5.49524], p < 0.001 ]). Body dissatisfaction (Beta = [-0.184 ], p = [0.005 ]) and bulimia subscale scores (Beta = [-0.133 ], p = [0.038 ]) were negatively associated with LKQ total, while SCAT scores were positively associated (Beta = [0.171 ], p = [0.038 ]).
CONCLUSIONS: LBP-related knowledge in rowers is influenced by demographic, competitive, and psychological factors. Integrating injury-prevention education with mental health and body image-sensitive interventions may improve athlete health literacy and support sustainable performance.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-05, ISPOR 2026, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue S6
Code
CO39
Topic
Clinical Outcomes
Topic Subcategory
Clinical Outcomes Assessment
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas, SDC: Musculoskeletal Disorders (Arthritis, Bone Disorders, Osteoporosis, Other Musculoskeletal)