Abstract

Low back pain (LBP) is a major global health issue. Athletes and performing artists also suffer from LBP. Student circus artists’ daily training put constant stress on their spine and back. Proper back muscle function is critical for spinal stiffness and movement. Substantial research revealed structural and functional deficits of the lumbar multifidus muscle (LM) in patients with LBP. However, circus research remains scarce, and no data is available on the LM and LBP in this population. The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of LBP in student circus artists, investigate lumbar multifidus morphology and function in student circus artists with and without LBP and explore the relationship between LM asymmetry and LBP.

A total of 33 participants completed an online survey to acquire demographics, training history, brief injury history and LBP history. Thirty participants had body composition measurements and an ultrasound assessment of the LM at the 5th lumbar vertebrae. All examinations were performed at the participants’ respective circus school. Our primary measures included the assessment of LM morphology and function using ultrasound (manuscript 1). Our secondary measures included pain, training activity, catastrophizing, medical history in the past year and LBP-related disability assessed via a survey and questionnaires (manuscript 1 and 2).

This study explored the burden of LBP in student circus artists. Assessing LM characteristics using ultrasound may be a useful tool to identify artists’ injury risk and monitor changes following rehabilitation programs or throughout the school year leading to a more sustainable practice.