Increased Active Hamstring Stiffness After Exercise in Women With a History of Low Back Pain

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca J. Bedard ◽  
Kyung-Min Kim ◽  
Terry L. Grindstaff ◽  
Joseph M. Hart

Objective:To compare active hamstring stiffness in female subjects with and without a history of low back pain (LBP) after a standardized 20-min aerobic-exercise session.Design:Case control.Setting:Laboratory.Participants:12 women with a history of recurrent episodes of LBP (age = 22.4 ± 2.1 y, mass = 67.1 ± 11.8 kg, height = 167.9 ± 8 cm) and 12 matched healthy women (age = 21.7 ± 1.7 y, mass = 61.4 ± 8.8 kg, height = 165.6 ± 7.3 cm). LBP subjects reported an average 6.5 ± 4.7 on the Oswestry Disability Index.Interventions:Participants walked at a self-selected speed (minimum 3.0 miles/h) for 20 min. The treadmill incline was raised 1% grade per minute for the first 15 min. During the last 5 min, participants adjusted the incline of the treadmill so they would maintain a moderate level of perceived exertion through the end of the exercise protocol.Main Outcome Measures:During session 1, active hamstring stiffness, hamstring and quadriceps isometric strength, and concurrently collected electromyographic activity were recorded before and immediately after the exercise protocol. For session 2, subjects returned 48–72 h after exercise for repeat measure of active hamstring stiffness.Results:Hamstring active stiffness (Nm/rad) taken immediately postexercise was not significantly different between groups. However, individuals with a history of recurrent LBP episodes presented significantly increased hamstring stiffness 48–72 h postexercise compared with controls. For other outcomes, there was no group difference.Conclusions:Women with a history of recurrent LBP episodes presented greater active hamstring stiffness 48–72 h after aerobic exercise.

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Sutherlin ◽  
Joseph M. Hart

Context:Individuals with a history of low back pain (LBP) may present with decreased hip-abduction strength and increased trunk or gluteus maximus (GMax) fatigability. However, the effect of hip-abduction exercise on hip-muscle function has not been previously reported.Objective:To compare hip-abduction torque and muscle activation of the hip, thigh, and trunk between individuals with and without a history of LBP during repeated bouts of side-lying hip-abduction exercise.Design:Repeated measures.Setting:Clinical laboratory.Participants:12 individuals with a history of LBP and 12 controls.Intervention:Repeated 30-s hip-abduction contractions.Main Outcome Measures:Hip-abduction torque, normalized root-mean-squared (RMS) muscle activation, percent RMS muscle activation, and forward general linear regression.Results:Hip-abduction torque reduced in all participants as a result of exercise (1.57 ± 0.36 Nm/kg, 1.12 ± 0.36 Nm/kg; P < .001), but there were no group differences (F = 0.129, P = .723) or group-by-time interactions (F = 1.098, P = .358). All participants had increased GMax activation during the first bout of exercise (0.96 ± 1.00, 1.18 ± 1.03; P = .038). Individuals with a history of LBP had significantly greater GMax activation at multiple points during repeated exercise (P < .05) and a significantly lower percent of muscle activation for the GMax (P = .050) at the start of the third bout of exercise and for the biceps femoris (P = .039) at the end of exercise. The gluteal muscles best predicted hip-abduction torque in controls, while no consistent muscles were identified for individuals with a history of LBP.Conclusions:Hip-abduction torque decreased in all individuals after hip-abduction exercise, although individuals with a history of LBP had increased GMax activation during exercise. Gluteal muscle activity explained hip-abduction torque in healthy individuals but not in those with a history of LBP. Alterations in hip-muscle function may exist in individuals with a history of LBP.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e001068
Author(s):  
Shaun Wellburn ◽  
Cormac G Ryan ◽  
Andrew Coxon ◽  
Alastair J Dickson ◽  
D John Dickson ◽  
...  

ObjectivesEvaluate the outcomes and explore experiences of patients undergoing a residential combined physical and psychological programme (CPPP) for chronic low back pain.DesignA longitudinal observational cohort design, with a parallel qualitative design using semistructured interviews.SettingResidential, multimodal rehabilitation.Participants136 adults (62 male/74 female) referred to the CPPP, 100 (44 male/56 female) of whom completed the programme, during the term of the study. Ten (2 male/8 female) participated in the qualitative evaluation.InterventionA 3-week residential CPPP.Outcome measuresPrimary outcome measures were the STarT Back screening tool score; pain intensity—11-point Numerical Rating Scale; function—Oswestry Disability Index (ODI); health status/quality of life—EQ-5D-5L EuroQol five-Dimension-five level; anxiety—Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7; depression—Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Secondary outcome measures were the Global Subjective Outcome Scale; National Health Service Friends and Family Test;.ResultsAt discharge, 6 and 12 months follow ups, there were improvements from baseline that were greater than minimum clinically important differences in each of the outcomes (with the sole exception of ODI at discharge). At 12 months, the majority of people considered themselves a lot better (57%) and were extremely likely (86%) to recommend the programme to a friend. The qualitative data showed praise for the residential nature of the intervention and the opportunities for interaction with peers and peer support. There were testimonies of improvements in understanding of pain and how to manage it better. Some participants said they had reduced, or stopped, medication they had been taking to manage their pain.ConclusionsParticipants improved, and maintained long term, beyond minimum clinically important differences on a wide range of outcomes. Participants reported an enhanced ability to self-manage their back pain and support for the residential setting.


2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 1206-1212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Martinez-Valdes ◽  
Fiona Wilson ◽  
Neil Fleming ◽  
Sarah-Jane McDonnell ◽  
Alex Horgan ◽  
...  

Ergonomics ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinne S. Babiolakis ◽  
Jennifer L. Kuk ◽  
Janessa D.M. Drake

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 400-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Whitney Williams ◽  
Noelle M. Selkow

Context: Decreased hamstring flexibility can lead to a plethora of musculoskeletal injuries, including low back pain, hamstring strains, and patellofemoral pain. Lack of flexibility may be the result of myofascial adhesions. The fascia connected to the hamstrings is part of the superficial back line that runs from the cranium to the plantar aspect of the foot. Any disruption along this chain may limit the flexibility of the hamstring. Objective: To investigate if self-myofascial release (SMR) of the plantar surface of the foot in addition to the hamstring group was more effective at improving the flexibility of the hamstrings when compared with either intervention alone. Design: Cross-over study. Setting: Athletic training facility. Participants: Fifteen college students (5 males and 10 females; age: 20.9 [1.4] y, height: 173.1 [10.3] cm, mass: 80.0 [24.9] kg) who were not older than 30, with no history of low back pain or injury within the past 6 months, no history of leg pain or injury within the past 6 months, no current signs or symptoms of cervical or lumbar radicular pain, no current complaint of numbness or tingling in the lower-extremity, and no history of surgery in the lower-extremity or legs. Interventions: Each participant received each intervention separated by at least 96 hours in a randomized order: hamstring foam rolling, lacrosse ball on the plantar surface of the foot, and a combination of both. Main Outcome Measures: The sit-and-reach test evaluated hamstring flexibility of each participant before and immediately after each intervention. Results: There were no significant differences found among the SMR techniques on sit-and-reach distance (F2,41 = 2.7, P = .08, ). However, at least 20% of participants in each intervention improved sit-and-reach distance by 2.5 cm. Conclusions: SMR may improve sit-and-reach distance, but one technique of SMR does not seem to be superior to another.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nermeen Mohamed Abdelhalim ◽  
Ahmed Fathy Samhan ◽  
Walid Kamal Abdelbasset

Objective: Non-specific low back pain (non-specific LBP) is common problem between office-work employees. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term impacts of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy in the treatment of non-specific LBP symptoms as pain, back mobility, LBP disabilities, and Health–Related Quality of Life (HRQOL). Methods: Forty-two University’s employees with non-specific LBP and aged from 35 to 55 years who participated in this study from January to June 2018 were divided into two groups: group A; received PEMF therapy and group B; received sham treatment. The outcome measures were; numerical rating scale, Modified Oswestry LBP Disability Score, Modified Schober test, and the Short Form-36 questionnaire. Evaluations were performed for both groups before and after finishing treatment. Results: All outcome measures were significantly improved statistically in the experimental group at the end of the intervention (p<0.05). On the other hand, there were non-significant differences in all outcome measures in the sham group (p>0.05). Conclusions: PEMT therapy may decrease pain, LBP disability, increase lumbar spine mobility, and improve HRQOL in middle-aged university’s employees with nonspecific LBP. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.4.49 How to cite this:Abdelhalim NM, Samhan AF, Abdelbasset WK. Short-Term impacts of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in middle-aged university’s employees with non-specific low back pain: A pilot study. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(4):---------.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.4.49 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 267
Author(s):  
Kodjo Kakpovi ◽  
Komi Cyrille Tagbor ◽  
Eyram Fianyo ◽  
Agbeko Komlan Doleagbenou ◽  
Kokou Mensah Guinhouya ◽  
...  

Objective: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with neuropathic pain in patients with non-specific low back pain. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from May to July 2016 in the Rheumatology, Neurology and Neurosurgery departments of Lome. The DN4 questionnaire was used for the diagnosis of neuropathic pain in the 200 patients with low back pain included in this study. Results: Of the 200 patients (147 women and 53 men) included in the study, neuropathic pain was present in 92 (46%). The average age of the 92 patients (67 women vs 25 men, p = 0.04) was 55.5 ± 12.4 years (women 55.2 ± 12.8 vs. men 54.6 ± 11.4, p = 0.5). The characteristics of neuropathic pain mainly found were: burning sensation (n = 67, 72.8%); electrical discharges (n = 64, 69.6%); tingling (n = 90; 97.8%); tickling (n = 57; 62%); numbness (n = 89; 96.7%); hypoesthesia (n = 52; 56.5%). Factors significantly associated with the presence of neuropathic pain in LBP were age (p = 0.005), duration of LBP (p = 0.04), high blood pressure (p = 0.001), radicular pain (p = 0.00002) and the past history of the LBP (0.000000). Conclusion: Neuropathic pain is common in patients with LBP at Lome. The duration of LBP, past history of LBP, previous NSAID use, BMI, pain severity and radicular pain appear to be predictive of the occurrence of these neuropathic pains.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca White Hennessy ◽  
Deanna Rumble ◽  
Mike Christian ◽  
David A Brown ◽  
Zina Trost

BACKGROUND Chronic low back pain (cLBP) can interfere with daily activities, and individuals with elevated pain-related fear (also known as kinesiophobia or the fear of injury due to movement) can develop worse long-term disability. Graded exposure (GEXP) protocols use successive participation in avoided activities to help individuals overcome fearful movement appraisals and encourage activity. We sought to develop a series of GEXP virtual reality (VR) walking and reaching scenarios to increase the exposure and engagement of people with high kinesiophobia and cLBP. OBJECTIVE This study aims to (1) determine GEXP content validity of the VR application and (2) determine the feasibility of individuals with cLBP performing locomotion-enabled physical activities. METHODS We recruited 13 individuals with cLBP and high pain-related fear to experience six VR modules, which provide progressive movement exposure over three sessions in a 1 week period. At session 1, participants ranked each module by likelihood to avoid and assigned an expected pain and concern for harming their back rating to each module. Participants provided a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) after experiencing each module. To test feasibility, we administered the system usability scale (SUS) and treatment evaluation inventory (TEI) following the final session. In addition, we measured pain and pain-related fear at baseline and follow-up. RESULTS The 12 participants who completed the study period assigned higher avoidance (<i>P</i>=.002), expected pain (<i>P</i>=.002), and expected concern (<i>P</i>=.002) for session 3 modules compared with session 1 modules. RPE significantly increased from session 1 (mean 14.8, SD 2.3) to session 3 (mean 16.8, SD 2.2; <i>P</i>=.009). The VR application showed positive feasibility for individuals with cLBP through acceptable SUS (mean 76.7, SD 13.0) and TEI (mean 32.5, SD 4.9) scores. Neither pain (<i>P</i>=.20) nor pain-related fear (<i>P</i>=.58) changed significantly across sessions. CONCLUSIONS The GEXP VR modules provided progressive exposure to physical challenges, and participants found the VR application acceptable and usable as a potential treatment option. Furthermore, the lack of significant change for pain and pain-related fear reflects that participants were able to complete the modules safely.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document