Low back pain, physical fitness, posture, balance, gait and quality of life comparison of miners working at different positions in A private coal mine in Zonguldak

This study aimed to compare low back pain, physical fitness, balance, gait and quality of life of miners working at different positions and to investigate the effects of coal miners' postural defects, physical fitness parameters and low back pain on gait and balance. 64 coal miners working in underground with average age of 31,66±5,15 were included in the study. Miners were divided into three groups as master diggers (n=15), reserve diggers (n=24) and transport workers (n=25). Individuals' low back pain disability was evaluated with Oswestry Disability Index; physical fitness with sit and reach test, ITO test evaluating lumbal extensor endurance, sit to stand test, back scratch test, hand grip strengths; postures with New York Posture Assessment Test, balance with functional reach test, lateral reach test and Biodex balance evaluation device; gait with Zebris FDM pedobarographic gait analysis device; quality of life with Nottingham Health Profile; physical activity with International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form by a physiotherapist. With intergroup comparisons, it was determined that master diggers' functional reach, reserve diggers' low back pain disability and transport workers' static mediolateral balance and gait symmetry were better than other groups (p<0,05). According to IPAQ, it was found that master diggers perform more vigorous physical activity and transport workers walk more (p<0,05). In all individuals, positive correlations were observed between static balance, quality of life and low back pain disability, between dynamic balance and body mass index, between physical activity and quality of life; negative correlations were observed between low back pain disability and lumbal extensor endurance, between dynamic balance and back scratch test (p<0,05). In conclusion, musculoskeletal systems of miners working at different positions should be assessed by physiotherapists and their quality of life should be improved by developing their physical fitness.