Daily Walking Volume Linked to Reduced Risk of Chronic Low Back Pain: JAMA

Walking volume was ascertained in minutes a day, and walking intensity in metabolic equivalent of task (MET) per minute. Self-reported chronic LBP was the main outcome and was defined as three or more months of back pain within the past year. Poisson regression models were used to estimate the risk ratios (RRs) adjusted and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Key Findings

• At follow-up, 14.8% (n=1659) of the participants reported chronic LBP.

Restricted cubic spline analyses revealed that heightened walking volume and intensity were inversely related to risk of chronic LBP:

• Walking Volume and LBP Risk

Relative to those walking fewer than 78 minutes per day:

• 78–100 minutes/day: RR = 0.87 (95% CI: 0.77–0.98)

• 101–124 minutes/day: RR = 0.77 (95% CI: 0.68–0.87)

• 125 minutes or more/day: RR = 0.76 (95% CI: 0.67–0.87)

• Walking Intensity and LBP Risk

Relative to walking intensity of <3.00 MET/min:

• 3.00–3.11 MET/min: RR = 0.85 (95% CI: 0.75–0.96)

• 3.12–3.26 MET/min: RR = 0.82 (95% CI: 0.72–0.93)

• ≥3.27 MET/min: RR = 0.82 (95% CI: 0.72–0.93)

This systematic review concludes that higher daily walking volume is linked with a significantly reduced risk of acquiring chronic low back pain, and walking intensity also has a secondary protective effect. Use of accelerometer-derived data offers strong, objective evidence supporting encouragement of regular walking as part of public health interventions. Walking more daily, particularly in excess of 100 minutes may be an easy and effective means of preventing chronic back pain in the general population.

Reference:

Haddadj R, Nordstoga AL, Nilsen TIL, et al. Volume and Intensity of Walking and Risk of Chronic Low Back Pain. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(6):e2515592. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.15592