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Someone on another Internet group commented on the high incidence of spondlyolysis among girl gymnasts, football linemen and ballet dancers and stated that it might have to do with excessive back-bending, jumping or impacts involved in some sports. It was added that it could also be caused by tight hamstrings or tight hip flexors or that tight muscles are even the result, rather than the cause of the problem. A solution that was suggested was that, your back doesn't bother you too much, you should work at straightening your backbone using 'pelvic tilts' and crunches because the more you arch your back , the worse the problem will become. The clsoing remark was that you must straighten the backbone and strengthen the abdominal muscles to prevent back problems like this. I commented that the author quite correct in commenting that nobody really knows the precise aetiology of Spondylolysis, but that the problem probably is multifactorial. I added that it is even doubtful if frequent back bending is a major cause of the problem, because spondylolysis was not at all common among Olympic weightlifters who performed the Olympic Press with a marked backbend under heavy loads (weights exceeding 300lbs or 140kg were commonplace). In fact, the correctly executed Olympic Press, with its special double bending or swaying action of the trunk can offer an excellent way of strengthening the abdominal muscualture and enhancing trunk flexibility. Of course, learning it should be a gradual process for the average person, because it does involve the acquisition of special non-elementary movement skills. For those who may never have seen or tried this lift, see the following webpage: http://www.olympus.net/personal/cablebar/PRESS.htm Would anyone else like to comment on the issue of back pain and disability in its many forms, as well as some of the practical solutions that are offered to manage them? Dr Mel C Siff Denver, USA http://www.egroups.com/group/supertraining %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%