Assessment of motor control deficit and its association with shoulder proprioception in athletes with non-specific low back pain.

Background: Athletes with low back pain (LBP) often face long-term functional limitations. Knowledge about the Discrepancy in motor control and proprioception between athletes with and without LBP is still lacking. Purpose: To compare Movement Control deficit (MCD), scapular upward rotation, and shoulder proprioception in elite swimmers with and without LBP and assess their correlation in athletes with CNSLBP. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study recruited active professional swimmers and was divided into two groups: Group A (N=40) with LBP lasting over 12 weeks, and Group B (N=40) without LBP. Both groups were assessed for MCD using tests with a Pressure Biofeedback Unit (PBU), scapular upward rotation and shoulder proprioception were assessed by bubble inclinometer. Results: Participants who had CNSLBP had significantly higher motor control deficits in all tests, greater upward rotation of the scapula at 120 abduction, and higher joint position error (JPE)(p<.001). Correlation between MCD and upward rotation of scapula at 120 abductions, KLAT showed moderate positive significant correlations and PADT had moderate to strong negative significant correlations with dominant on both sides. Conclusion: Swimmers with CNSLBP had poorer motor control, with significant deficits in lumbar stability tests and increased JPE in shoulder rotations. Scapular upward rotation was significantly higher at 120° shoulder abduction in the CNSLBP group. Correlations showed that weaker core control affected scapular mechanics and proprioception, emphasizing the role of targeted exercises in improving stability.