Isokinetic Strength of Trunk Flexors and Extensors Muscles in Adult Men with and without Nonspecific Back Pain: A Comparative Study

摘要

Background: There is no proven relationship between back pain and trunk muscle strength, researches in this field yielded conflicting results: some found significant weakness of trunk muscles in back pain patients compared with healthy subjects, however many researches did not show any relationship. Objectives: The focus of this study is to assess the trunk muscles strength using isokinetic dynamometer then tries to find a relation between back pain and trunk muscles strength. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients with back pain (BP) and 50 healthy subjects were recruited in this study. The flexors and extensors of the trunk muscles were evaluated by Isokinetic dynamometer and compared with control groups. Results: Patients with acute back pain show a significant reduction of the trunk muscles strengths at 120°/s velocities (p value < 0.05) with reversed flexor/extensor ration in comparison with sound subjects. Such a relationship does not show in subacute or chronic back pain patients. Conclusions: Acute back pain associated with decreased the strength of the trunk flexors and extensors at 120°/s. The trunk muscle reinforcement programs must be considered in-patients with acute back pain.