A submaximal back extension endurance test utilising subjective perception of low back fatigue.

Year: 1998  Country: Finland   Study Population: 20 low back pain patients/20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls

Taimela S, Kankaanpää M, Airaksinen O. A submaximal back extension endurance test utilising subjective perception of low back fatigue. Scandinavian Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine 1998;30(2):107-112

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic value of a submaximal repetitive back extension endurance test using the perceived subjective fatigue (Borg scale) in the classification between non-specific low back pain (LBP) patients and healthy controls. 

Methods

Repetitive upper trunk extensions (25° extension and 5° extension) in David lumbar/thoracic back extension device (110). The subjects performed 45 dynamic upper trunk extensions in 90 seconds. Borg scale was inquired in 15 second intervals throughout the protocol and the slope (change/minute) was calculated. 

Outcome

According to the results, LBP patients seem to suffer from increased back muscle fatigability. The Borg scale slope increased faster and the score and the score was higher in LBP patients compared to controls at the end of the test. 

The test may be used as a low-cost evaluation method for assessing the severity of LBP when combined with other relevant clinical data.