Evidence gaps limit conclusions about back pain risk in female athletes
A review found very uncertain evidence when comparing several potentially modifiable characteristics in women and girls with and without low back pain.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The pooled analyses did not identify clear differences in body mass, body mass index, weekly training hours or spinal bending between female athletes with and without low back pain. The evidence was rated very uncertain. These findings leave the role of those characteristics unresolved and do not demonstrate that changing them would prevent pain.
Many studies had substantial risk of confounding, and the pooled evidence was rated very low certainty. This abstract-based account covers a review with mixed-sex samples and female-specific estimates available for only part of the evidence.
What researchers found
Weekly training hours
Standardized mean difference between female athletes with and without low back pain; timeframe was not reported. Evidence certainty was very low.
The review asked broader questions
The review also sought prevention evidence for injuries or pain involving the spine, chest, abdomen and pelvis. However, the pooled female-specific comparisons described in the abstract concerned low back pain.
Interpreting an uncertain difference
The estimate uses a standardized scale rather than hours; its interval allows differences in either direction. It does not prove training exposure is unrelated to pain or establish what would happen if training changed.
The original publication
Prevention strategies and modifiable risk factors for spine, chest, abdominal and/or pelvic injury and pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis for the Female, woman and/or girl Athlete Injury pRevention (FAIR) consensus.
Whittaker JL, Schulz JM, Galarneau JM et al.
Br J Sports Med · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40889819
- Record checked
AI-assisted research and writing. This explains one selected publication; it is not a complete review of everything known. Our approach.
One more question, understood.
Keep track of the research you’ve explored.