Backward walking: a possible active exercise for low back pain reduction and enhanced function in athletes

Dufek JS, House AJ, Mangus BC, Melcher GG, Mercer JA. Backward Walking: A Possible Active Exercise for Low Back Pain Reduction and Enhanced Function in Athletes. JEPonline 2011; 14(1):17-26. Specific pathologies that associate with low back pain (LBP) challenge athletic trainers and other healthcare...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of exercise physiology online 2011-04, Vol.14 (2), p.17-26
Main Authors: Mangus, Brent, Dufek, Janet, Mercer, John, House, Anthony, Melcher, Geoffrey
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Care and treatment
College athletes
Health aspects
Low back pain
Management
Methods
Pain
Walking
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Summary:Dufek JS, House AJ, Mangus BC, Melcher GG, Mercer JA. Backward Walking: A Possible Active Exercise for Low Back Pain Reduction and Enhanced Function in Athletes. JEPonline 2011; 14(1):17-26. Specific pathologies that associate with low back pain (LBP) challenge athletic trainers and other healthcare professionals with techniques to treat stricken athletes. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a backward walking exercise program in alleviating LBP and enhancing function in athletes. A secondary purpose was to identify which aspects of backward walking performance may be beneficial to the alleviation of LBP. Subjects, who included NCAA Division I athletes experiencing LBP (n = 5) and healthy, active individuals not experiencing LBP (n = 5), performed a pre-test, 3-week intervention of backward walking, and post-test. Low back range of motion, stride parameters, shock attenuation and pain scores were measured and/or recorded during each test session. Group results for 2 (group) x 2 (time) ANOVAs identified significant (p < 0.05) differences between groups and time for all stride parameters. The LBP group exhibited significantly greater sagittal plane low back motion and lesser coronal plane motion versus the healthy group. Single subject analyses identified unique participant responses with most reducing shock attenuation (17.2 ± 5.9%), and increasing sagittal (3.9 ± 1.6 deg) and coronal (5.0 ± 4.2 deg) plane range of motion following the intervention while one participant elicted responses that were opposite. Results suggest that backward walking may reduce LBP and enhance function for athletes. Further investigation is warranted. Key Words: Athletic Rehabilitation, Retro Walking, Back Pain, Spine
ISSN:1097-9751
1097-9751