The influence of various sport activities on the degeneration of intervertebral discs

Excessive physical activity is one of the main risk factors in the formation of degenerative changes of the intervertebral discs. Recreational and elite sport also represents a repeated increased physical load, and based on the type of sport, a more intense and sometimes less intense action of direct forces on the intervertebral discs. On the other hand, sport and training is in general regarded as beneficial for our health. Many doctors also regards sport as a form of prevention against back injuries. The authors analyze numerous sporting activities with different types of direct forces acting on the spine, with the goal to inform on realistic scientific facts regarding the impact of these activities on the degeneration of the intervertebral disc. They inform about the available facts, which confirm the positive effects of a certain type of sport load on the degeneration of the intervertebral disc, and its correlation with the clinically manifested back pain.