Functional characteristics of the torso muscles in persons with back pain

Research hypothesis: Asymmetry of torso muscle endurance and endurance of abdominal muscles as a significant stabilizer of the spine is an important factor associated with both episodic and chronic back pain. The aim of this study was to investigate characteristics of torso muscle strength endurance in persons with chronic and episodic back pain. Tasks: 1. To determine the endurance of torso muscle strength in chronic back pain, episodic back pain and control groups; 2. to determine the relationship between torso muscle strength endurance and pain intensity in the groups of chronic back pain and episodic back pain; 3. To determine the relationship between torso muscle strength endurance and the nature of work and physical activity. Methods: The study included 125 subjects experiencing lumbar spine pain, who were divided into a chronic back pain group, an episodic back pain group, and a control group. Subjects were examined by Tanita body composition measurement, pain questionnaire, Baecke physical activity questionnaire, Ito back and abdominal muscle endurance test, McGill lateral torso muscle endurance test. Conclusion of the results: 1. Abdominal muscle endurance was lower in individuals with chronic back pain, and abdominal-back muscle imbalance was higher than in individuals with episodic pain and control groups. Abdominal endurance was lower in women with episodic back pain and higher in the abdominal-back muscle imbalance in men compared with controls. 2. In the chronic and episodic pain group, strength endurance of torso muscles and abdominal-back imbalance had moderate correlations with pain intensity. 3. Sedentary subjects had weaker abdominal muscles than those standing. In both male and female groups, torso muscle strength endurance had the most correlated relationships with physical activity in sports