Physical Activity in Workers with Low Back Pain is Associated with Paraspinal Muscle Mass

Background. One of the common musculoskeletal problems that most workers will experience at some point in their lives is low back pain. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between physical activity level and pain, disability and paraspinal muscle mass in workers with chronic low back pain. Methods. One hundred thirty workers with chronic low back pain were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, pain, physical activity levels of all patients were evaluated. Paraspinal muscle cross-sectional areas (CSA) at the lumbar spine were measured. Participants were grouped according to their physical activity levels at work and their results were analyzed. Results. It was found that there were significantly more males in the groups with moderate and severe physical activity, and more females in the groups with sedentary and mild activity. L2-3 and L3-4 paraspinal CSAs were found to be higher in those with moderate/severe physical activity at work. Male gender for paraspinal CSA at L2-3 and L3-4 levels, body mass index for paraspinal CSA at L2-3 levels, and age were found to be independent risk factors for L4-5 and L5-S1 paraspinal CSA. Conclusions. Paraspinal muscle CSA was affected by occupational physical activity and total physical activity level.