Assessment of the strength and endurance of the trunk muscle in patients with low back pain

• Authors: Jacek Głodzik , Wiesław Chwała , Anna Marchewka , Tadeusz Ruchlewicz , Antoni Skura

Title variants

PL

Ocena siły i wytrzymałości mięśni tułowia pacjentów z zespołem dolnego odcinka kręgosłupa

Abstracts

EN

Introduction: In this study, strength and endurance of the trunk muscles were assessed in patients with spondyloarthrosis of the lower spine. Material and methods: 52 women and 49 men with low back pain syndrome (LBPS) were enrolled into the study. The muscle strength of the flexors and extensors of the trunk was determined by calculation of the maximum (MT) and relative torque (RT) during an isometric contraction. Evaluation of endurance of the extensors used calculation of the regression coefficient of the strength reduction during the testing of maximum strength capability. The obtained results were compared to results obtained in healthy persons. Moreover, the relation of those parameters to age, body-mass index – BMI (describing somatic habitus) and the Oswestry Disability Index – ODI (describing pain intensity during activities of daily living) was assessed. Separate analyses were conducted for the groups of males and females.Results: Based on the conducted study and the performed analyses, it can be stated that in patients with chronic low back pain syndrome there is a marked reduction in trunk muscle strength as compared to healthy persons. For females, the reduction ranged from 45% (flexors) to 48% (extensors) for absolute maximum torque values, while for relative values (RT) – from 51% (flexors) to 56% (extensors). In men, the strength reduction of abdominal and back muscles was smaller and was approximately 40% (for MT and RT). Because of such differences in the strength of the back muscles and methodological reasons, endurance variables were not compared. Reduction in trunk muscle strength is primarily due to the pain syndrome and does not depend on patients’ age or habitus. Lower muscle strength can affect the intensity of spinal pain during every-day activities.Conclusions: Precise determination of strength and endurance of the trunk muscles and the appropriate selection of methods of their reinforcement should constitute one of the principal aims of rehabilitation treatment in patients with low back pain.

Keywords

EN

Low Back Pain; muscle strength; muscle endurance

PL

zespół bólowy dolnego odcinka kregosłupa; siła i wytrzymałosc miesni

• Publisher: Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego im. Bronisława Czecha w Krakowie
• Journal: Medical Rehabilitation
• Year: 2008
• Volume: 12(3)
• Pages: 15-23

Dates

published

2008

Contributors

author

Jacek Głodzik

author

Wiesław Chwała

author

Anna Marchewka

author

Tadeusz Ruchlewicz

author

Antoni Skura

Identifiers

Biblioteka Nauki

1939058