Lower back pain in U16 football (Soccer) players

[charmainet]

Hi, hope someone can help point me in the right direction!

I am 1st yr Sports therapy degree student and volunteer with an U16 football team doing general 1st aid etc. I currently have a handful of the squad suffering from lower back pain which I find odd in young fit boys... Could this be a result of tight hamstrings or simply an over use or growing thing???

I am currently treating with general sports massage and stretching but any suggestions as to a possible cause and exercises etc to help keep them on the pitch and off my couch would be greatly appreciated!

Kind Regards

Char

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[robsmith1234]

Hi Char

Well im guessing telling them to rest is out of the case?
But If you are massaging the hamstrings and stretching them try also stretching the Quadratus lumborum. It could also help to watch the players turning techniques as a few quite often turn their lower limbs before their upper body which can lead to back pain. Also have you tried functional testing of the back with the players lying on the couch trying to extend their back?
Another option would be to look at their Pelvic tilt anterier or posterior as this could give you an indication of what could be tight?

Good question and I hope some of these options help.
Cheers Rob

[toad]

I currently have a handful of the squad suffering from lower back pain which I find odd in young fit boys... Could this be a result of tight hamstrings or simply an over use or growing thing???

This strikes me as partly a training issue if a few have this problem - do they dynamically warm up, do they perform a cool down and flexibilty work. MAin thing i find at football academies is the players get tight then do a lot of training and get sore.

You should definitely check all main muscle groups around the pelvis - quads/hip flexors/ hamstrings. Also checking lower limb biomechanical control - eg small knee bends. And spinal mobility in thoracic spine and lumbar. I also find there general stability isn't always brilliant.

Also at that age posture - school bag over one shoulder, long days slouched etc may influence there symptoms.

[charmainet]

Thank you both for your replies... I will work on some of your suggestions and see how we go. Think one of my main issues is that I don't often make it to training sessions due to the fact that I have to work - sure you are both aware of just how tight it is to live on a student loan!!

I have been pushing for a more dynamic warm up session and certainly on match days when I take the warm up and cool down sessions I do put the emphasis on a dynamic warm up and build as much flexibility into the cool down as I can - not always easy post match as they just want to go off and get their food!!!!

Thanks again

Char

[camaron]

Interesting. I am a parent of a 16 year old girl soccer players who complains, as do many of her team, of back pain. In particular it gets worse playing on third generation astroturf.

Has anyone heard of a possible issue here with back pain on astro?

[112inky]

they are straing very high and don't do the proper warming process. Also playing rapidly wil casuethe lower back pain

[kimh195]

Hello..........
The physical and physiologic demands of football on its participants become more pronounced as the level of competition increases. The aim of this study was to compare the medical history and physical findings in players from different levels of play as well as to analyze the relationship between pathologic findings in the joints of the lower extremities and the medical history. Five hundred eighty-eight football players from eight age and skill levels were investigated. The medical histories of the players were obtained by questionnaire. A physical examination conducted by specially trained physicians incorporated anthropometric and body fat measurements and examination of the spine and the hip, knee, foot, and great toe joints. On average, the players reported 6.6 (SD, 8.8) previous injuries. At the time of the examination, 136 players (24%) still felt the effects of a previous injury. Almost one-quarter of the players (134, 23%) had a pathologic finding in either the right or left knee, and even more players (162, 28%) had a pathologic anterior drawer sign either in the right or left ankle. A correlation was found between the location of the pathologic findings and the preferred leg for playing football. We recommend that further research should address the prevalence of pathologic findings and complaints in football players as well as the secondary structural changes that may occur as the result of playing football.

* A human figure (posterior view) with pain radiating into the leg and numbness and tingling in the leg
* Sagittal view of lower spine with: tumor of the spinal cord, bone spur impinging on spinal nerves, compression fractures and herniated disc impinging on spinal nerve
* Anterior view of the lower spine and pelvis showing tumors, infections, degenerative diseases, ankylosing sponylitis, sacroilitis, arthritis and intrapelvic mass
* Correct postures and techniques to avoid low back pain

[camaron]

Thanks for the replies yesterday.

There still seems to be an issue with 3rd generation astro and back pain in girl and women soccer players. The ones I talk two say turf/grass is better but there seems to be no research on chronic back and 3G; maybe this is because FIFA has a vested interest in the success of 3G because it is a surface which can be used where grass can't be used.

Among the other variables is boot design - cleats versus studs versus moulds. Cleats seem to be more problematic on 3G, especially for girls and women.

Would be interested to hear more comments!!

[ronnie.la]

Hi,
What the main truth behind this? Let me clear please.

[camaron]

Well, there is not at this stage any truth. On the basis of talking to players - England internationals and those in FA Centre of Excellence (ie 12-16 year olds) there is a perception that back pain and playing on 3 G astro are related. For me, the next stage is to do some proper research. Anyone interested, let me know.

[ronnie.la]

Well I am so much interested in your research. So if you get any useful information then please let me inform. Thanks !!!
Additional Comment I forgot:
Can anyone help me out for the training academy of junior players in U.S.A.