IRSST - Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail

Evaluation of the specificity of different paravertebral-muscle endurance exercises in individuals with low back pain

Abstract

It has been demonstrated that intensive endurance training of back muscles reduces the pain and disability due to chronic low back pain, and even has the potential to protect against new episodes. However, current exercise modalities do not always allow these muscles to be specifically trained in relation to the hip extensor muscles, thus reducing the effectiveness of interventions for this purpose. In order to recommend specific exercises to achieve this, the researchers wanted to validate the use of new electromyographic analyses to study muscle fatigue during dynamic tasks; to compare the effectiveness of various exercise modalities in order to determine which one best reduces the action of the hip extensors or increases that of the back muscles; and finally, to evaluate whether the chosen exercises increase the fatigue of the spinal muscles compared to the hip extensors in order to promote endurance training. In the light of the results of their study, they recommend two exercise modalities, carried out with existing equipment, that have the capacity of fatiguing more specifically the spinal muscles than the hip extensors. However, their potential physiological and clinical effects remain to be demonstrated in a complete training program, namely to create more rapid and more significant physiological changes in the back muscles in order to improve their endurance and, ultimately, to reduce pain and disabilities as well as to protect against potential recurrences of low back pain.

Additional Information

Type: Project
Number: 0099-3300
Status: Completed
Year of completion: 2008
Research Field: Occupational Rehabilitation
Team:
  • Christian Larivière (IRSST)
  • A. Bertrand Arsenault (Université de Montréal)
  • André Plamondon (IRSST)
  • Sylvie Nadeau (Université de Montréal)
  • Da Silva Rubens (Université de Montréal)
  • Nathaly Gaudreault (Université de Montréal)
  • Michel Goyette (Institut de réadaptation Gingras-Lindsay de Montréal)