Is Increased Kicking Leg Iliopsoas Muscle Tightness a Predictive Factor for Developing Spondylolysis in Adolescent Male Soccer Players?

Objective:To identify predictive risk factors of lumbar stress (LS) fracture developing from an asymptomatic stress reaction of the pedicle among adolescent male soccer players.Design:Prospective cohort study.Setting:Amateur Japanese adolescent male soccer team.Participants:Japanese adolescent male soccer players (n = 195) aged 12 to 13 years.Assessment of Risk Factors (Independent Variables):Height, body weight, body mass index, muscle tightness of both lower extremities (iliopsoas, hamstrings, and quadriceps), lumbar bone mineral content, developmental age, and lumbar lordosis angle were measured as baseline measurements.Main Outcome Measures (Dependent Variable):Players who were diagnosed with an asymptomatic stress reaction of the lumbar spine pedicle at baseline were followed; extension-based lumbar pain was defined 1 year after the baseline. The players were assigned to the LS fracture or control (CON) group at follow-up.Results:At baseline, 40 boys were diagnosed with an asymptomatic stress reaction of the lumbar spine pedicle. The difference in muscle tightness between the kicking leg and supporting leg was significantly different (P = 0.012) between the LS (n = 16) and CON (n = 22) groups. Increase in iliopsoas muscle tightness in the kicking leg was a predictive risk factor of developing extension-based lumbar pain after adjusting for developmental age and body mass index (odds ratio, 1.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-2.27).Conclusions:Development of extension-based lumbar pain from an asymptomatic stress reaction of the pedicle among adolescent male soccer players was associated with increased iliopsoas muscle tightness of the kicking leg relative to that of the supporting leg.