Biopsychosocial Factors and Muscle Morphology After a Resistance Exercise

NCT07203430 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 12
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 22
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the longitudinal effects of a four-week dynamic resistance training program using the 45-degree Roman chair on pain sensitivity changes after exercise and lumbar muscle performance in individuals with chronic low back pain (LBP). This study will consist of three specific aims. Aim 1 examines changes in local exercise-induced hypoalgesia. Aim 2 will assess changes in lumbar multifidus and erector spinae thickness using ultrasound imaging before and after the intervention. Aim 3 will evaluate changes in lumbar extensor strength (handheld dynamometry (HHD)) and endurance (Biering-Sørensen test).

Conditions

Low Back Pain, Chronic

Keywords

Exercise; Low Back Pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Exercise Induced Hypoalgesia

  Participants will perform one set of back extension exercise on a 45-degree Roman chair until volitional exhaustion. Pressure Pain Threshold applied over the low back will be examined before and after exercise.

  Weeks 1 and 4

• Muscle Thickness

  Ultrasound imaging to assess muscle thickness of the erector spinae and the multifidus muscles will be completed.

  Weeks 1 and 4

• Muscle Strength

  Back extensor strength will be assessed using maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the back extensor muscles using a handheld dynamometer.

  Weeks 1 and 4

• Muscle Endurance

  The Biering-Sorensen test will be performed in which participants lie prone on a treatment table with the lower body secured to the table. Participants will be instructed to cross their arms over their chest and maintain their torso in a horizontal position with the upper body unsupported, parallel to the floor.

  Weeks 1 and 4

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

During visits 2-13, participants will attend 2-3 sessions per week, with a minimum of 48 hours between visits, and must complete all study visits 6 weeks after enrollment. Participants in the intervention group will perform 3 sets of low back extension exercise on the Roman chair until volitional exhaustion. The three sets will be performed to volitional exhaustion or 20 repetitions, whichever comes first. If more than 20 repetitions can be completed after a set the investigator will add resistance according to the NSCA's guidelines (2.5-10% increase).

Other: 45-Degree Roman Chair Exercise

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in the control group will not complete the low back extension exercise and will be told to continue activity as usual. All participants will complete a training log and detail the type of resistance exercise performed, the number of sets and repetitions completed, and the weight used.

Interventions

45-Degree Roman Chair Exercise OTHER

Participants in the intervention group will perform 3 sets of low back extension exercise on the Roman chair until volitional exhaustion. The three sets will be performed to volitional exhaustion or 20 repetitions, whichever comes first. If more than 20 repetitions can be completed after a set the investigator will add resistance according to the NSCA's guidelines (2.5-10% increase).

Intervention Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 50 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• chronic low back pain lasting ≥ 12 weeks
• current pain intensity ≥ 3/10 but no higher than an 8/10 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) within the past 48 hours
• resistance trained (defined as 2x/week for the past 8-12 weeks)
• able to read and speak English for informed consent and completion of questionnaires
• willing and physically able to complete all testing and intervention sessions.

You may not qualify if:

• History of spinal surgery, fusion, or fracture within the past 6 months
• diagnosed degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, or spinal pathology that precludes safe exercise participation
• use of an assistive device for walking (cane, walker) within the past year
• pregnancy, due to contraindications for exercise testing and ultrasound -body weight ≥ 300 lbs., which exceeds the safe capacity of the Roman chair --
• current tobacco/nicotine use
• current enrollment in physical therapy or structured rehabilitation for LBP,
• cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, or systemic disease that increases risk during exercise
• nociplastic pain conditions (e.g., fibromyalgia) or neurological conditions that confound EIH responses
• inability to complete ≥ 8 Roman chair repetitions with proper form during screening
• non-English speaking

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Central Florida: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida, 32816, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Low Back Pain; Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome; Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Back Pain; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Organizing Pneumonia; Bronchiolitis Obliterans; Bronchiolitis; Bronchitis; Bronchial Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Lung Diseases; Graft vs Host Disease; Immune System Diseases; Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 22, 2025
• First Posted: October 2, 2025
• Study Start: October 15, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 9, 2026
• Study Completion: April 9, 2026
• Last Updated: April 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)