High-Intensity Interval Training in Young Women With Mechanical Low Back Pain

NCT07787598 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: REC/2111/MTI.PT/2411261
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 67
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of a 4-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on pain, functional disability, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, and quality of life in young women with mechanical low back pain. Participants were randomly allocated to either a supervised HIIT cycling program or a control exercise program consisting of stretching and low- to moderate-intensity treadmill walking. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after completion of the 4-week intervention.

Conditions

Low Back Pain

Keywords

mechanical low back pain; HIIT; functional ability; body composition; VO₂ max

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)

  Functional disability was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), a validated self-reported questionnaire for assessing disability related to low back pain. Total scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater disability.

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention at 4 weeks

• Visual Analog Scale (VAS)

  Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention at 4 weeks

• Body Composition Parameters

  Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis with the InBody 700 system. The assessed parameters included percentage body fat and skeletal muscle mass.

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention at 4 weeks

• Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO₂ max)

  Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by measuring maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ max) using the COSMED Quark CPET system during a graded exercise test. VO₂ max was expressed in mL/kg/min, with higher values indicating better cardiorespiratory fitness.

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention at 4 weeks

• Quality of Life Scale (QOLS)

  Quality of life was assessed using the Quality of Life Scale (QOLS), a multidimensional instrument assessing physical, social, and psychological aspects of quality of life. Total scores range from 16 to 112, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention at 4 weeks

Study Arms (2)

The HIIT group

EXPERIMENTAL

participated in supervised cycling sessions lasting 30-40 minutes, three times per week, performed at intensities ranging from 80% to 90% of maximum heart rate (HRmax).

Other: HIIT

The control group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

performed supervised moderate- to low-intensity exercises, including stretching and treadmill walking at 40-60% HRmax, for 30-40 minutes, with heart rate monitoring to regulate exercise intensity.

Other: low intensity training

Interventions

HIIT OTHER

participated in supervised cycling sessions lasting 30-40 minutes, three times per week, performed at intensities ranging from 80% to 90% of maximum heart rate (HRmax).

The HIIT group

low intensity training OTHER

performed supervised moderate- to low-intensity exercises, including stretching and treadmill walking at 40-60% HRmax, for 30-40 minutes, with heart rate monitoring to regulate exercise intensity.

The control group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 40 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: Female participants aged 20 to 38 years.
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Female participants aged 20 to 38 years.
• Mild to moderate nonspecific low back pain persisting for more than 3 months.
• Low back pain without an identifiable specific pathological cause.
• Body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 34.9 kg/m².
• Able to participate safely in the prescribed cycling exercise intervention.

You may not qualify if:

• Pregnancy or lactation.
• Recent surgery.
• Any chronic medical condition that restricts physical activity or exercise participation.
• Secondary causes of low back pain.
• Osteoporosis.
• Osteoarthritis.
• Sciatica.
• Generalized neuromuscular disorders.
• Structural spinal deformities.
• Vertebral or other relevant fractures.
• Reliance on assistive walking devices.
• Cardiovascular disease that could compromise safe participation in cycling exercise.
• Respiratory disease that could compromise safe participation in cycling exercise.
• Autonomic dysfunction, including diabetes mellitus.
• Current use of medications known to affect heart rate variability, including beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• MTI University: lead

Study Sites (1)

MTI university

Cairo, Egypt

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Low Back Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Back Pain; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

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: Lecturer, Department of woman and Child Health, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Beni Suef University

Model Details: randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 21, 2026
• First Posted: August 26, 2026
• Study Start: November 26, 2024
• Primary Completion: November 26, 2025
• Study Completion: July 22, 2026
• Last Updated: August 26, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Locations

EG (1)