• Hans Heneweer, H Susan J Picavet, Filip Staes, Henri Kiers, and Luc Vanhees.
• Research Department Lifestyle and Health, University of Applied Sciences, PO box 85182, 3508 AD, Utrecht, The Netherlands. Hans.Heneweer@hu.nl
• Eur Spine J. 2012 Jul 1;21(7):1265-72.

IntroductionPhysical activity is suggested to be important for low back pain (LBP) but a major problem is the limited validity of the measurement of physical activities, which is usually based on questionnaires. Physical fitness can be viewed as a more objective measurement and our question was how physical activity based on self-reports and objective measured levels of physical fitness were associated with LBP.Materials And MethodsWe analyzed cross-sectional data of 1,723 police employees. Physical activity was assessed by questionnaire (SQUASH) measuring type of activity, intensity, and time spent on these activities. Physical fitness was based on muscular dynamic endurance capacity and peak oxygen uptake (VO(2) peak). Severe LBP, interfering with functioning, was defined by pain ratings ≥ 4 on a scale of 0-10.ResultsHigher levels of physical fitness, both muscular and aerobic, were associated with less LBP (OR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.34-0.86, respectively, 0.59: 95%CI: 0.35-0.99). For self-reported physical activity, both a low and a high level of the total physical activity pattern were associated with an increase of LBP (OR: 1.52; 95%CI: 1.00-2.31, respectively, 1.60; 95%CI: 1.05-2.44).ConclusionThese findings suggest that physical activity of an intensity that improves physical fitness may be important in the prevention of LBP.

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