Abstract
Objectives: To explore the multidisciplinary team experience of Low Back Pain (LBP) in elite gymnastics.
Design: A qualitative focus group.
Setting: British Gymnastics.
Participants: Ten coaching, sports science and medicine multidisciplinary team members working with British gymnasts.
Main outcome measures: A topic guide informed by literature/expert opinion enabled discussion that was recorded/transcribed verbatim. Initial inductive analytic process developed theoretical insights. Manual coding using constant comparative methods categorised meaningful themes and sub-themes.
Results: Two key aspects were identified. Emerging themes for LBP presentation included: early
identification LBP and influence of multidisciplinary team members on outcomes; factors influencing LBP
reporting e.g. coach-athlete relationship; frequent presentations of LBP and accepted norms; athlete
history and physical examination e.g. training load. Emerging themes for causation of LBP included:
intrinsic risk factors e.g. growth and maturation; extrinsic risk factors e.g. equipment.
Conclusions: Individual responses of a gymnast to experiencing LBP were important across all themes.
Some LBP was perceived as normal. The coach-athlete relationship and support team are crucial decision-makers around training load and adaptation. Early detection will help minimise time loss from training/performance to expedite healing.
Design: A qualitative focus group.
Setting: British Gymnastics.
Participants: Ten coaching, sports science and medicine multidisciplinary team members working with British gymnasts.
Main outcome measures: A topic guide informed by literature/expert opinion enabled discussion that was recorded/transcribed verbatim. Initial inductive analytic process developed theoretical insights. Manual coding using constant comparative methods categorised meaningful themes and sub-themes.
Results: Two key aspects were identified. Emerging themes for LBP presentation included: early
identification LBP and influence of multidisciplinary team members on outcomes; factors influencing LBP
reporting e.g. coach-athlete relationship; frequent presentations of LBP and accepted norms; athlete
history and physical examination e.g. training load. Emerging themes for causation of LBP included:
intrinsic risk factors e.g. growth and maturation; extrinsic risk factors e.g. equipment.
Conclusions: Individual responses of a gymnast to experiencing LBP were important across all themes.
Some LBP was perceived as normal. The coach-athlete relationship and support team are crucial decision-makers around training load and adaptation. Early detection will help minimise time loss from training/performance to expedite healing.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 33-40 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Physical Therapy |
| Volume | 44 |
| Early online date | 18 Apr 2020 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2020 |
Keywords
- Elite gymnastics
- Focus group
- Low back pain
- Multi-disciplinary
- Qualitative
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
- Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation