Effects of high intensity training on pain, disability, exercise capacity and muscle strength in persons with nonspecific chronic low back pain: preliminary RCT results

Abstract

Nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) is a musculoskeletal disorder affecting many people worldwide. Exercise therapy (ET) is an important component of NSCLBP management. However, effect sizes remain low1 . High Intensity Training (HIT) is an effective training method for improving physical fitness and health related parameters in healthy persons as well as for decreasing pain and disability in persons with chronic disorders2 . The value of HIT in NSCLBP rehabilitation is unclear. The aim of this study is 1) to compare HIT to conventional ET, and 2) to compare the effects of different modes of HIT, with regard to pain, disability, exercise capacity, and muscle strength, in persons with NSCLBP.