LOW BACK PAIN: RELATIONSHIP WITH MUSCLE MASS AND FORCE IN RURAL WORKERS

Abstract

Rural work requires a lot of physical effort, repetitive movements, incorrect postures, causing increased chances of presenting body pain, in which one of the most affected regions is the lumbar region. Lumbar pain reduces physical effort and consequently reduces physical activity, resulting in loss of strength of lumbar muscles, weakening the lumbar muscles and worsening the clinical picture. The aim of this study was identify the relationship of low back pain with loss of muscle mass and strength production of the extensor muscles of the trunk in rural workers. The sample consisted of 31 rural workers of both sex with ages ranging from 35 to 55 years. The subjects were divided into two groups according to the presence of pain in the lumbar region (symptomatic and asymptomatic). The subjects performed an evaluation of body composition through bioimpedance, where data regarding muscle loss were obtained. The subjects underwent the maximal voluntary isometric contraction test of the trunk extensor muscles to identify the capacity of lumbar muscle strength. As for muscle loss, the asymptomatic group had strength levels of 31.19 (± 18.35) kgf versus 17.02 (± 11.33) kgf of the symptomatic group. Regarding the musculoskeletal index, the symptomatic group had values of 34.68 (± 11.33) % versus 44.84 (± 18.35) % of the asymptomatic group. Rural workers with symptoms of low back pain demonstrate a greater loss of muscle mass and a lower capacity of strength production of the extensor muscles of the trunk in relation to the asymptomatic workers.