Conclusions Leisure time physical activity may reduce the risk of chronic LBP by 11%–16 % .
Background There are plausible mechanisms whereby leisure time physical activity may protect against  low back pain ( LBP )  but there have been no quality systematic review s and meta-analyses of the subject .
Objective This review aims to assess the effect of leisure time physical activity on non-specific LBP .
Active Lifestyle Protects Against Incident Low Back Pain in Seniors: A Population-Based 2-Year Prospective Study of 1387 Danish Twins Aged 70–100 Years
Study Design . Prospect i ve cohort study of twins . Objectives . To investigate associations between physical activity , physical function , and incident low back pain ( LBP ) in an elderly population . Summary of Background Data . The relationship between an active lifestyle and LBP in seniors is unknown . Methods . Participants in the population -based Longitudinal Study of Aging Danish Twins free from LBP at baseline ( no LBP during the past month ) were included , and interview data on physical activity , overall physical function , and LBP at baseline and follow-up were obtained . Associations between levels of  physical activity and LBP were estimated using logistic regression for the entire cohort , and using a matched case-control design for twin pairs discordant for physical activity . Absolute risk and relative risks for incident LBP in relation to physical activity were calculated for participants with higher or lower than average physical function at baseline . Absolute risk for LBP was also calculated for participants based on whether they remained active or inactive between baseline and follow-up or changed activity level . Results . A total of 1387 persons aged 70–100 at baseline were included in the analyses , including 86 twin pairs discordant for physical activity at baseline . In the total sample , 83 % were engaged in light physical activity  , and 42 % of men and 35 % of women were engaged in strenuous  physical activity  at least weekly . Being engaged in strenuous physical activity at baseline was strongly protective in relation to both having had any LBP ( odds ratio 0.21 , 95 % confidence interval 0.12–0.37 for intra-pair analysis ) and having had LBP lasting more than 30 days altogether during the past year at follow-up ( odds ratio 0.08 , 95 % confidence interval 0.03–0.18 for intra-pair analysis ) . Statistically significant dose-response associations between increasing frequency of strenuous physical activity and magnitude of this protective effect were found . Participants with poor initial physical function experienced the strongest protective effect of strenuous physical activity . Finally , LBP does not appear to be an important factor affecting whether participants remained engaged in strenuous physical activity at baseline and follow-up or vice versa . Conclusions . Strenuous physical activity at least once a week is protective for incident LBP in seniors
Conclusions Leisure time physical activity may reduce the risk of chronic LBP by 11%–16 % .
Background There are plausible mechanisms whereby leisure time physical activity may protect against  low back pain ( LBP )  but there have been no quality systematic review s and meta-analyses of the subject .
Objective This review aims to assess the effect of leisure time physical activity on non-specific LBP .