The Management and Treatment of Chronic Back Pain Among Athletes in University of Ilorin.

ABSTRACT
Chronic back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions affecting athletes and may impair performance, reduce participation, and increase the risk of long-term disability if not effectively managed. This study therefore examined the management and treatment of chronic back pain among athletes in the University of Ilorin, Kwara State. The factors investigated include: risk factors, treatment strategies, training intensity, psychological stress levels, and management practices as they relate to chronic back pain among student-athletes. A descriptive research design of survey method was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of athletes in the University of Ilorin, and a total of two hundred (200) respondents were selected using simple random sampling technique.
The research instrument was a structured questionnaire, validated by three experts in Human Kinetics Education, University of Ilorin. A reliability coefficient of .70 was obtained. The questionnaire was administered by the researcher and two trained assistants. Demographic data were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages. The five null hypotheses postulated for the study were tested using Chi-square (χ²) at 0.05 level of significance.
The findings from the study revealed that:
Risk factors significantly influence the occurrence of chronic back pain among athletes in the University of Ilorin (χ² = 47.20 df =12, p = 0.000);
Treatment strategies significantly influence the level of chronic back pain experienced (χ² = 52.32, df = 12, p = 0.002);
Training intensity significantly contributes to chronic back pain (χ² = 33.82, df = 12, p = 0.001);
Psychological stress levels significantly impact the persistence and severity of chronic back pain (χ² = 39.49, df = 9, p = 0.002);
Management practices also significantly affect chronic back pain outcomes (χ² = 27.36, df = 12, p = 0.001).
Based on the findings, it was concluded that chronic back pain among athletes is significantly influenced by multiple factors, and that holistic management strategies are needed to reduce its occurrence and improve treatment outcomes. It is therefore recommended that appropriate training routines, adequate recovery time, psychological support, early diagnosis, and effective treatment protocols should be implemented by sports authorities and medical personnel to safeguard the health and performance of athletes in the University of Ilorin.