Exercise therapy has been shown to be effective in decreasing pain and improving function for patients with recurrent low back pain (LBP). Research on the mechanisms that trigger and/or underlie the effects of exercise therapy on LBP problems is of critical importance for the prevention of recurring or persistence of this costly and common condition. One factor that seems to be crucial within this context is the dysfunction of the back muscles. Recent pioneering results have shown that individuals with recurring episodes of LBP have specific dysfunctions of these muscles (peripheral changes) and also dysfunctions at the cortical level (central changes). This work provides the foundation to take a fresh look at the interplay between peripheral and central aspects, and its potential involvement in exercise therapy. The current project will draw on this opportunity to address the following research questions: What are the immediate (after a single session) and the long-term effects (after 18 repeated sessions) of exercise training on: (1) back muscle structure; (2) back muscle function; (3) the structure of the brain; (4) and functional connectivity of the brain. This research project also aims to examine whether the effects are dependent on how the training was performed. Therefore a specific versus a general exercise program will be compared.
Age range
18 Years – 45 Years
Sex
ALL
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Brain macro-structure
Timeframe: Baseline
Brain macro-structure
Timeframe: After low-load training phase (i.e. after 9th supervised treatment session) assessed at approximately 8 weeks
Brain macro-structure
Timeframe: After high-load training phase (i.e. after 18th supervised treatment session) assessed at approximately 13 weeks
Brain macro-structure
Timeframe: At 3 months follow-up
Brain micro-structure
Timeframe: Baseline
Brain micro-structure
Timeframe: After low-load training phase (i.e. after 9th supervised treatment session) assessed at approximately 8 weeks
Brain micro-structure
Timeframe: After high-load training phase (i.e. after 18th supervised treatment session) assessed at approximately 13 weeks
Brain micro-structure
Timeframe: At 3 months follow-up