Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports
-
Scand J Med Sci Sports · Apr 1996
Muscular performance after a 3 month progressive physical exercise program and 9 month follow-up in subjects with low back pain. A controlled study.
The purpose of this study was to assess, in subjects with low back pain, the changes and their permanence in muscular performance after a 3 month progressive physical exercise program. Ninety subjects with chronic low back pain participated in the study. The study design was controlled and it was carried out in three groups: intensive training, home exercise, and control group. ⋯ Their muscular performance improved and their back pain intensity decreased significantly. Among the home exercise group, the Oswestry Index also changed positively. The results demonstrate that the home exercise program could be as effective as the intensive training program in increasing muscle strength, as well as decreasing back pain and functional disability among low back pain patients with mild functional limitations.