Introduction: Exercise therapy is the primary endorsed form of conservative treatment for chronic low back pain (LBP). However, there is still conflicting evidence on which exercise intervention is best. While motor control exercise can lead to morphological and functional improvements of lumbar multifidus muscle in individuals with chronic LBP, the effects of exercise prescription on multifidus stiffness assessed via shear wave elastography are still unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSoccer is a laterally dominant sport owing to the repetitive nature of unilateral kicking. The relationship between functional and body composition asymmetries related to limb dominance in soccer players has yet to be established. When present, asymmetries can increase the risk of injury and low back pain.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most disabling diseases and a major health issue. Despite the evidence of a link between paraspinal and gluteal muscle dysfunction and LBP, it is unknown whether aquatic exercises can lead to improvements in paraspinal and gluteal muscle morphology and function, and whether improvements in overall muscle health are associated with improvements in patients' outcomes. The unique properties of water allow a water-based exercise program to be tailored to the needs of those suffering from LBP.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLow back pain (LBP), a globally widespread and persistent musculoskeletal disorder, benefits from exercise therapy. However, it remains unclear which type leads to greater changes in paraspinal muscle health. This study aimed to (1) compare the effects of a combined motor control and isolated lumbar extension exercise (MC+ILEX) versus a general exercise (GE) intervention on paraspinal muscle morphology, composition, and function, and (2) examine whether alterations in paraspinal muscle health were correlated with improvements in pain, function, and quality of life.
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