• Emma L Healey, Neil E Fowler, Adrian M Burden, and Islay M McEwan.
• Department of Exercise and Sport Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Stoke-on-Trent, UK. e.l.healey@mmu.ac.uk
• Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2005 Apr 1; 86 (4): 710-5.

ObjectivesTo further the understanding of stature recovery in subjects with and without chronic low back pain (CLBP) and to determine the relations among stature recovery, paraspinal muscle activity, and perceived pain and disability.DesignA case-control study in which stature loss and recovery were assessed in subjects with and without CLBP after a 20-minute loaded walking task (10% of body mass). Group differences in pain, disability, and paraspinal muscle activity were also assessed.SettingA university laboratory.ParticipantsTwenty subjects with CLBP were matched (age, sex, body mass, physical activity level) with 20 controls who were recruited through notices in the university, general community, and local Primary Care Trust.InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresStature changes and integrated electromyograms of the paraspinal muscles during a loading and unloading period were assessed.ResultsStature changes after loading did not differ between groups ( P <.05). Subjects with CLBP recovered significantly less stature during unloading than did the controls ( P <.05). Paraspinal muscle activity correlated negatively with stature recovery ( P <.05). Relations among stature recovery, pain, and disability were shown ( P <.05).ConclusionsThe elevated paraspinal muscle activity exhibited by the CLBP group increased compression on the intervertebral disks and diminished their ability to recover the height lost through loaded exercise. Further research is required to establish whether a change in paraspinal muscle activity is associated with corresponding changes in stature recovery, and if this has any clinical implications by reducing pain and disability.

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