Comparison of metabolic risk factors, physical performances, and prevalence of low back pain among categories determined by visceral adipose tissue and trunk skeletal muscle mass in middle-aged men

Association between a body shape index and low back pain: a cross-sectional study highlighting gender-specific differences in NHANES data

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the association between A Body Shape Index (ABSI) and low back pain, with a focus on gender and age differences, using cross-sectional data from the NHANES database.

METHODS

A total of 14,268 participants were included from four NHANES cycles (1999-2004 and 2009-2010). Low back pain was assessed based on self-reported pain over the past three months, and ABSI was calculated using waist circumference, height, and weight. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between ABSI and low back pain, adjusting for potential confounders. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was conducted to assess non-linear relationships, and subgroup analyses were performed based on gender, age and BMI.

RESULTS

Higher ABSI was significantly associated with an increased risk of low back pain (OR for highest quartile = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.07-1.50, p = 0.008). RCS analysis indicated a linear relationship between ABSI and low back pain, with the risk significantly rising when ABSI exceeded 0.85. Subgroup analyses revealed that this association was more pronounced in males (OR = 25.89, 95% CI: 3.11-215.86, p = 0.004) and participants aged ≥ 60 years (OR = 11.11, 95% CI: 2.61-47.26, p = 0.002), while no significant association was observed in females.

CONCLUSIONS

The ABSI was associated with low back pain. This association was more prominent in males and older adults. Our findings suggest that ABSI may provide a more nuanced understanding of low back pain risk, particularly in populations with abdominal obesity. Further studies are needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and potential clinical applications of ABSI in low back pain risk assessment.

Relationships between trunk tissue distribution, metabolic risk factors and physical performance in young people-A pilot study

The present study examined the relationships between trunk tissue distribution, metabolic risk factors, and physical performance in young Japanese individuals using cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. Thirty-six healthy Japanese men (n = 20, body mass index [BMI]: 20.8 ± 2.0 kg/m2) and women (n = 16, BMI: 19.6 ± 2.0 kg/m2) aged 20-26 years old visited our laboratory twice with an interval of 1 year. The thicknesses of skeletal muscle (MT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCAT), and the intra-abdominal cavity (IAT) were assessed by ultrasound imaging and adjusted by body mass1/3 (BM1/3). Blood properties related to hepatic function or metabolic syndrome, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, hand grip strength, two-step-length/height scores, and sit-and-reach test scores were also measured. As a result of the cross-sectional analysis, significant relationships were observed between SCAT/BM1/3 and indices of glucose metabolism (HOMA-IR and QUICKI) in men (r = 0.513 and -0.583), and between IAT/BM1/3 and fasting blood glucose in women (r = 0.524). Longitudinal analyses of women showed that changes (%) in IAT and MT/IAT correlated with % changes in the indices of hepatic function (AST) and glucose metabolism (HOMA-IR and HOMA-β) (r = -0.673 to 0.686). Significant correlations were also observed between MT/IAT and walking ability (two-step-length/height) in cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of men (r = 0.463 and 0.525). In conclusion, the trunk tissue distribution could be used to detect the early symptoms of metabolic risks and declines in physical performance in young men and women.

Using Resistance-Band Tests to Evaluate Trunk Muscle Strength in Chronic Low Back Pain: A Test-Retest Reliability Study

Exercise is a front-line intervention to increase functional capacity and reduce pain and disability in people with low strength levels or disorders. However, there is a lack of validated field-based tests to check the initial status and, more importantly, to control the process and make tailored adjustments in load, intensity, and recovery. We aimed to determine the test-retest reliability of a submaximal, resistance-band test to evaluate the strength of the trunk stability muscles using a portable force sensor in middle-aged adults (48 ± 13 years) with medically diagnosed chronic low back pain and healthy peers (n = 35). Participants completed two submaximal progressive tests of two resistance-band exercises (unilateral row and Pallof press), consisting of 5 s maintained contraction, progressively increasing the load. The test stopped when deviation from the initial position by compensation movements occurred. Trunk muscle strength (CORE muscles) was monitored in real time using a portable force sensor (strain gauge). Results revealed that both tests were highly reliable (intra-class correlation [ICC] > 0.901) and presented low errors and coefficients of variation (CV) in both groups. In particular, people with low back pain had errors of 14-19 N (CV = 9-12%) in the unilateral row test and 13-19 N (CV = 8-12%) in the Pallof press. No discomfort or pain was reported during or after the tests. These two easy-to-use and technology-based tests result in a reliable and objective screening tool to evaluate the strength and trunk stability in middle-aged adults with chronic low back pain, considering an error of measurement < 20 N. This contribution may have an impact on improving the individualization and control of rehabilitation or physical training in people with lumbar injuries or disorders.

Relationship between trunk intramuscular adipose tissue content and prevalence of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged Japanese men

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to examine the dose-response relationship between trunk tissue composition and prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in middle-aged Japanese men.

METHODS

The 1026 men (between 35 and 59 y of age) who participated in the present study were divided into two groups: those with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and those without (non-MetS). Intramuscular adipose tissue (IntraMAT) content and the cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of visceral adipose tissue and skeletal muscle tissue were calculated using low-dose computed tomography images acquired at the level of the third lumbar vertebra. Height, body mass, body fat, waist circumference, the presence of MetS, and lifestyle habits were also assessed.

RESULTS

IntraMAT content was significantly higher in MetS than in non-MetS men. A 10% increase in IntraMAT content correlated with the prevalence of MetS (odds ratio, 4.197; 95% confidence interval, 3.108-7.088; P < 0.001), even after adjustments for age, height, adjusted skeletal muscle CSA, sleeping time, alcohol consumption, exercise habit, and cigarette smoking. Skeletal muscle CSA did not correlate with the prevalence of MetS after adjustments for IntraMAT content and other cofactors.

CONCLUSIONS

Increase in IntraMAT content, not in skeletal muscle CSA, significantly correlated with the prevalence of MetS. These results suggest that countermeasures against the accumulation of trunk IntraMAT effectively prevent MetS in middle-aged Japanese men.

Relation between Physical Fitness Components and the Occurrence and Subjective Intensity of Back Pain in Secondary School Adolescents

Despite the well documented benefits of physical fitness (PF) on general health, its role in back pain (BP) is still unclear. The objective of this study was to assess the association between different PF profiles and BP in a sample of adolescents. The study assessed PF and BP in a sample of 919 youth (age = 15.5 ± 1.3 years) from North and South Tyrol. A total of 531 participants (57.8%) reported no BP, whereas 4.7% (n = 43) reported severe BP. A two-step cluster analysis detected three main groups: the “less fit”, with significantly lower scores in all PF tests (p < 0.001); the “strong sprinters”, with higher speed and muscular strength than the others (p < 0.001); and the “flexible marathoners”, with higher flexibility and cardiorespiratory fitness (p < 0.001). The “flexible marathoners” showed significantly better BP scores than the “less fit” (p = 0.029). Cardiorespiratory fitness and trunk flexibility are potential preventive components of BP in adolescents. Since the decline in flexibility starts very early in life, it is recommended to put a particular emphasis on this component of PF. The role of other components of PF should be further investigated in the future.

Associations between visceral fat chronic low back pain and central sensitization in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis

BACKGROUND

Pain sensitization may be one of the mechanisms contributing to chronic low back pain (CLBP).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between visceral fat, CLBP, and central sensitization (CS); describe the relationship between low back pain (LBP) intensity and CS; and identify possible correlation between visceral fat and LBP intensity.

METHODS

Patients with CLBP were divided using their CS inventory (CSI) scores into low- (CSI < 40) and high-CSI (CSI ⩾ 40) subgroups. We compared computed tomography (CT) measurements and scores for association with pain according to the visual analogue scale (VAS) between the two groups.

RESULTS

The low-CSI and the high-CSI groups had 47 patients (67.1%; 21 men, 26 women) and 23 patients (32.9%; 11 men and 12 women), respectively. The high-CSI group had a significantly higher mean VAS score (p< 0.01) and estimated mean visceral fat area (p< 0.05) than the low-CSI group. There was a moderate positive correlation between VAS score and visceral fat (standardised partial regression coefficient: 0.659, p< 0.01) in the high-CSI group according to multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for age and sex.

CONCLUSIONS

Visceral fat is associated with CLBP, regardless of sex or age, and may be a potential therapeutic target for CLBP with CS.

Factors related to trunk intramuscular adipose tissue content - A comparison of younger and older men

The present study investigated factors related to trunk intramuscular adipose tissue (IntraMAT) content in younger and older men. Twenty-three healthy younger (20 to 29 years) and 20 healthy older men (63 to 79 years) participated in this study. The trunk IntraMAT content was measured using magnetic resonance imaging at the height of the 3rd lumbar vertebra. In addition to blood properties and physical performance, dietary intake was assessed by a self-administered diet history questionnaire. The dietary intake status was quantified using the nutrient adequacy score for the intake of 10 selected nutrients by summing the number of items that met the criteria of dietary reference intakes for Japanese individuals. The results obtained revealed that the trunk IntraMAT content was significantly higher in the older group than in the younger group (p < 0.05). In the younger group, the trunk IntraMAT content significantly correlated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure and HbA1c (r_s = 0.443 to 0.464, p < 0.05). In the older group, significant and negative correlations were observed between the trunk IntraMAT content and 5-m usual walking speed, handgrip strength, and nutrient adequacy scores (r_s = -0.485 to -0.713, p < 0.05). These results indicate that factors associated with the trunk IntraMAT content differed in an age dependent manner. In the younger group, the trunk IntraMAT content correlated with the metabolic status such as blood pressure and HbA1c. In the older group, physical performance and the dietary intake status negatively correlated with the trunk IntraMAT content.

Skeletal muscle and abdominal circumference explain intramuscular fat, independent of exercise frequency, in middle-aged Japanese men

The purpose of this study was to examine how intramuscular adipose tissue (IntraMAT) can be characterized using physical and functional characteristics, muscle size, and/or adipose tissue in four different exercise frequency groups of middle-aged Japanese men. One thousand twenty-eight middle-aged men (age, 47.5 ± 8.1 years; height, 170.5 ± 5.8 cm; body mass, 67.0 ± 9.3 kg; body mass index, 21.9 ± 5.3 kg/m²) were allocated to four groups on the basis of their weekly exercise frequency: Group 1, no exercise, n = 334; Group 2, once a week, n = 271; Group 3, a few days a week, n = 269; and Group 4, every day, n = 154. Their body composition, blood pressure, and handgrip strength were assessed. A single-slice computerized tomography image at the level of the umbilicus was acquired and the CSAs of IntraMAT, muscle tissue, and subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues (SCAT and VAT) were calculated. The %IntraMAT significantly correlated with physical characteristics, such as age, BMI, abdominal circumference, and muscle tissue CSA. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed, with the %IntraMAT as the dependent variable. Muscle tissue CSA and abdominal circumference were the common independent variables across groups to explain the variability of the %IntraMAT. It was also extracted %body fat and age for Group 2, age, handgrip strength, and BMI for Group 3, and smoking category for Group 4. These results suggested that muscle tissue size and abdominal circumference would be the strong predictors to explain %IntraMAT of the trunk muscle across four groups, and that age, %body fat, BMI, and SCAT, handgrip strength and smoking category were also good predictors for each group with different exercise frequency in middle-aged Japanese men.