Ann Rehabil Med.  2014 Apr;38(2):234-240.

Trunk Muscles Strength as a Risk Factor for Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Pilot Study

• Cho KH
• Beom JW
• Lee TS
• Lim JH
• Lee TH
• Yuk JH

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of asymptomatic back muscle weakness and spinal deformity on low back pain (LBP).
METHODS
Sixty healthy subjects without LBP participated in this study. Radiography and an isokinetic/isometric dynamometer were used to respectively measure spinal scoliosis/lordosis and the strength of the trunk flexors/extensors. After 2 years, 48 subjects visited the hospital again and LBP episodes, its severity and the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index were assessed. Differences between the group with LBP and the group without LBP were evaluated and the association with LBP incidence and severity was determined.
RESULTS
Sex, age, and trunk strength were significantly different in both group. Sex and age were significantly positive associated with LBP incidence. The isometric trunk flexor and extensor strength, maximum isokinetic trunk flexor and extensor strength were significantly and negatively associated with the LBP severity. The maximum isokinetic trunk extensor and maximum isometric trunk extensor strength was significantly negative associated with the LBP incidence.
CONCLUSION
LBP incidence is associated with isometric and isokinetic trunk extensor weakness, whereas LBP severity is associated with age, sex, isokinetic trunk extensor and flexor weakness, isometric trunk extensor and flexor weakness.

Keyword

Low back pain; Muscle weakness; Muscle strength dynamometer; Age; Sex

MeSH Terms

Back Muscles
Congenital Abnormalities
Incidence
Low Back Pain*
Muscle Strength Dynamometer
Muscle Weakness
Muscles*
Pilot Projects*
Radiography
Risk Factors*

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Study design. BMI, body mass index; LBP, low back pain; ODI, Oswestry Disability Index.

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  Fig. 2 Trunk strength test using Biodex System 4.

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