Isolated Lumbar Extension Resistance Training Improves Strength, Pain, and Disability, but Not Spinal Height or Shrinkage (“Creep”) in Participants with Chronic Low Back Pain

Abstract

This is apparently the first study to examine disc change in vivo after exercise in CLBP. Results of the present study, though supporting ILEX resistance training to improve strength, pain, and disability, did not find any effect on spinal height.

Does change in isolated lumbar extensor muscle function correlate with good clinical outcome? A secondary analysis of data on change in isolated lumbar extension strength, pain, and disability in chronic low back pain

“…This review concluded that there was consistent evidence that persons with CLBP generally present deconditioning of these muscles (reduced lumbar extension strength/endurance, atrophy, and excessive fatigability) and that this deconditioning may actually be involved in a range of multifactorial symptoms and dysfunctions present in CLBP . Further, this relationship may find its origins in our evolutionary past (Steele, 2017).…”

“…the lack of relationships between most function and performance outcomes and clinical outcomes, ILEX function stands out. This may be related to the specific role that deconditioning of the lumbar extensor musculature might play in the initiation and development of CLBPSteele, 2017). As such, where interventions effective in conditioning this musculature are used, such as ILEX resistance training, they may be addressing a key causative mechanism.…”

Variability in Strength, Pain, and Disability Changes in Response to an Isolated Lumbar Extension Resistance Training Intervention in Participants with Chronic Low Back Pain

“…The present study retrospectively examined data pooled from three previous trials of ILEX resistance training in participants with CLBP [ 34 , 35 , 36 ]. Participant data were extracted from the intervention arms of these studies that underwent 12 weeks ILEX interventions.…”

“…Training in all trials was conducted at a frequency of once [ 34 , 35 , 36 ] or, in the case of one of the training groups in Bruce-Low et al [ 34 ], twice a week for 12 weeks. Participants performed a single set of variable resistance ILEX exercise through either a full [ 34 , 35 , 36 ] or limited (mid 50%) range of motion [ 35 ]. Resistance load was 80% of maximum isometric torque during baseline testing and participants performed repetitions until momentary concentric failure such that effort was controlled [ 43 ].…”

Heavier- and lighter-load isolated lumbar extension resistance training produce similar strength increases, but different perceptual responses, in healthy males and females

“…An area which has received little consideration with respect to the comparison of HL and LL is that of isolated lumbar extension (ILEX) exercise. Low-volume (e.g., single-set) and low-frequency (1 day/week) ILEX exercise is shown to produce considerable strength increases both in trained persons ( Fisher, Bruce-Low & Smith, 2013 ; Steele et al, 2015 ) and those symptomatic of chronic low-back pain ( Bruce-Low et al, 2012 ; Steele et al, 2013 ; Steele et al, 2017a ). However, previous studies ( Helmhout et al, 2004 ; Harts et al, 2008 ) looking to compare different loading schemes using ILEX RT have used similarly low loads in both HL (35% and 50% of MVC) and LL conditions (20% of MVC).…”