The relationship between pain and functional disability with local and global selected trunk muscles activity and comparison the activity of these muscles between men and women with non-specific chronic low back pain

 Aims and background: The low back pain is a highly prevalent in all societies, with the majority of people experiencing back pain at least once in their lifetime. If a definite diagnosis of low back pain is not detectable by recent radiological instruments, it is classified as chronic low back pain. This study evaluates the relationship between pain and functional disability with the level of activity of the trunk muscles and comparison the activity of these muscles in men and women. Materials and methods: forty-seven strength-training athletes (25 female, 22 male) with non-specific chronic low back pain were selected to participate in this study. Surface electromyography device was used to record the activity of Multifidus muscle, Erector Spine, Transverse abdominal, Rectus abdominis. All statical analyses were performed using SPSS statical sotware version 20 and Pearson correlation method to determine the relationship between pain and functional disability with muscle activity and independent t-test to compare the activity of these muscles in men and women, and the significant level was set at 0.05. Findings: The results of Pearson correlation showed that there was a reverse and significant correlation between local trunk muscle activity and pain and functional disability, and there was no significant difference in the level of local and trunk global trunk muscle activity between men and women with chronic low back pain (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the activity of local muscles decreased and as a results pain and functional disability increased in low back pain patient. This situation leads to spinal instability. Therefore, local muscles should be strengthened in rehabilitation process.