Evaluation of functional and structural changes affecting the lumbar spine in professional field hockey players.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate functional and structural changes in the lumbar spine which occurred as a consequence of playing field hockey.

Methods: The research group consisted of 20 male professional field hockey players. Computed tomography scans were collected to define the radiological density of the vertebral bodies and to calculate Young's modulus.

Pathological changes in the lumbar intervertebral discs among professional field hockey players.

Background: Acute injuries or chronic overloading can be the cause of lower back pain. Long-term, highly-specialized training can cause the musculoskeletal system to become overloaded. Field hockey is an example of a sport which, due to the players' non-ergonomic positions, can lead to degenerative changes in the lumbar spine.