Abstract
Background: Strength and endurance tests are important for both clinical practice and research due to the key role they play in musculoskeletal function. In particular, deconditioning of the lumbar extensor musculature has been associated with low back pain (LBP). Due to the relationship between strength and absolute endurance, it is possible that trunk extension (TEX) endurance tests could provide a proxy measure of isolated lumbar extension (ILEX) strength and thus represent a simple, practical alternative to ILEX measurements. Though, the comparability of TEX endurance and ILEX strength is presently unclear and so the aim of the present study was to examine this relationship. Methods: Thirty eight healthy participants and nineteen participants with non-specific chronic LBP and no previous lumbar surgery participated in this cross-sectional study design. TEX endurance was measured using the Biering–Sorensen test. A maximal ILEX strength test was performed on the MedX lumbar-extension machine. Results: A Pearson’s correlation revealed no relationship between TEX endurance and ILEX strength in the combined group (r = 0.035, p = 0.793), the chronic LBP group (r = 0.120, p = 0.623) or the asymptomatic group (r = −0.060, p = 0.720). Conclusions: The results suggest that TEX is not a good indicator of ILEX and cannot be used to infer results regarding ILEX strength. However, a combination of TEX and ILEX interpreted together likely offers the greatest and most comprehensive information regarding lumbo-pelvic function during extension.
Highlights
Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common medical disorders in today’s society [1], affecting both the Western developed world [2] and less economically developed countries [3,4,5,6,7]
The results from the ODI classified the chronic lower back pain (CLBP) participants as having only moderate disability, which may explain the lack of difference in lumbar range of motion (ROM)
−0.060, there was group no significant between the(rtwo methods in either the group p=0.720). This suggests that trunk extension (TEX) endurance is a poor indicator of isolated lumbar extension (ILEX) strength, supporting (r = 0.035, p = 0.793), chronic low back pain (LBP) group (r = 0.120, p = 0.623) or asymptomatic group (r = −0.060, previous research which suggests that the pelvis must be adequately restrained and stabilised for the p = 0.720).purpose
Summary
Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common medical disorders in today’s society [1], affecting both the Western developed world [2] and less economically developed countries [3,4,5,6,7]. This results in a considerable economic burden worldwide and includes the costs of healthcare, indemnity payment, staff training and productivity loss [8,9].
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