Isokinetic Trunk Strength Evaluation in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients

• Published in: Isokinetics and exercise science 2000-01, Vol.8 (1), p.44-44
• Main Authors: Gregoir, C, Leclercq, R, Claes, M, Boulvin, S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0959-3020

The aim of our study is to evaluate CYBEX 6000 TMC testing in normal subjects and chronic low back pain patients. 60 non athletic women and men mean aged 23 years old were selected as normal subjects and 56 men and 64 women mean aged 42 years old suffering of chronic low back pain as patients. All subjects were tested on concentric mode, within a range of motion of 50 degrees, at the speed of 30, 60, 90 and 120 degrees per second. Patients undergo a clinical and X-ray evaluation. Normal values of flexors and extensors peak torque are closed to the published data. The flexors/extensors ratio is 0.69 in lower speed and 0.87 in higher speed. Peak torque is highly correlated to body weight in both gender and at any speed (R = 0.68, p < 0.001); variation coefficient is lower when results are expressed normalised to body weight. Group 2: important decrease of extensors peak torque is demonstrated in chronic low back pain patients (p < 0.001). This predominant deficit in extensor muscles induces a reverse of flexors/extensors ratio. Strength measures are correlated to lumbar stiffness index. Reliability is excellent (0.98) in normal subjects. The learning effect is important in-patients. To discriminate low back pain patients from normal subjects the peak torque of the extensors at high speed and the flexors/extensors ratio are the best parameters. Isokinetic testing of trunk flexors and extensors muscles is a safe, reliable and discriminating method to evaluate a functional impairment in chronic low back pain patients.