Relationship between CrossFit practice duration and self-reported low back pain in amateur athletes

Authors

  • Filipe Gubert Zanrosso Unidade Central de educação FAEM Faculdade, Saúde. Chapecó-Brasil https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7069-7215
  • Leonardo de Jesus Hernandez Cruz Universidade Internacional do Cuanza, Saúde. Bié-Angola https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0451-479X
  • Germana Borghetti Zanrosso Unidade Central de educação FAEM Faculdade, Saúde. Chapecó-Brasil https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3015-2221

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56200/mentor.v5i4.11260

Keywords:

CrossFit, Low Back Pain, Time Factors, Oswestry Disability Index, Athletes

Abstract

CrossFit is a high-intensity, constantly varied training modality that has gained widespread popularity. Concerns have emerged regarding its association with musculoskeletal pain, particularly low back pain. However, current evidence does not consistently demonstrate a relationship between duration of practice and low back pain.This study investigated the association between duration of CrossFit practice and self-reported low back pain, as well as related functional disability measured by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), in amateur athletes. A cross-sectional, quantitative design was conducted with 75 participants (52% men; predominantly aged 30–39 years). Participants completed the ODI and reported their duration of practice in months. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, the Shapiro–Wilk test, and Spearman’s correlation coefficient (p < 0.05).The mean duration of practice was 34.6 months (SD = 24.1). ODI scores indicated low functional disability (median = 0%; mean = 5.5%). No significant correlation was found between duration of practice and ODI scores (r = 0.10; p = 0.669). Low back pain was reported by 28% of participants. These findings suggest that duration of practice is not associated with low back pain or related disability, indicating that other factors may be more relevant.

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Author Biographies

Filipe Gubert Zanrosso, Unidade Central de educação FAEM Faculdade, Saúde. Chapecó-Brasil

Unidade Central de educação FAEM Faculdade, Saúde. Chapecó-Brasil

Leonardo de Jesus Hernandez Cruz , Universidade Internacional do Cuanza, Saúde. Bié-Angola

Universidade Internacional do Cuanza, Saúde. Bié-Angola 

Germana Borghetti Zanrosso, Unidade Central de educação FAEM Faculdade, Saúde. Chapecó-Brasil

Unidade Central de educação FAEM Faculdade, Saúde. Chapecó-Brasil

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Published

2026-07-15

How to Cite

Gubert Zanrosso, F., Hernandez Cruz , L. de J., & Zanrosso, G. B. (2026). Relationship between CrossFit practice duration and self-reported low back pain in amateur athletes. MENTOR Revista De investigación Educativa Y Deportiva , 5(4), 294–304. https://doi.org/10.56200/mentor.v5i4.11260