Impact of a Combined Exercise Programme on Pain, Disability, Health-Related Quality of Life, Sleep, Function, Sports Performance and Strength in Athletes With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Study Summary

48 male university-level athletes with chronic low back pain were randomized to receive stabilisation exercises plus back extensor endurance exercises or back extensor endurance exercises alone, performed three times weekly for 8 weeks. The outcomes included pain, disability, health-related quality of life, sleep, athlete-specific function, sprint and agility performance, peak force, and peak power. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed at baseline, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks, while sports performance and strength were assessed through 8 weeks. Overall, the results of the study revealed greater improvements over time with the combined program for pain, disability, athlete-specific function, sprint, and agility, whereas health-related quality of life, sleep, peak force, and peak power improved similarly between groups. These findings suggested that adding stabilisation exercises to back extensor endurance training may provide additional benefits for pain, function, and sports performance in athletes with chronic low back pain.