Resistance Exercise for Chronic Low Back Pain

Overseen By Abigail T. Anderson, PT, DPT, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Central Florida

Disqualifiers: Spinal surgery, Degenerative disc disease, Pregnancy, Cardiovascular disease, Fibromyalgia, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 4 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines how a specific exercise using a 45-degree Roman chair can benefit people with chronic low back pain. The researchers aim to determine if this exercise reduces pain, increases muscle thickness, and boosts strength and endurance in the lower back. Participants will be divided into two groups: one will perform the exercises, while the other will continue their usual activities. Ideal candidates have experienced low back pain for at least 12 weeks, currently endure moderate pain, and engage in resistance training (such as weightlifting) twice a week. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative exercise methods for managing chronic low back pain.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that the 45-degree Roman chair exercise is safe for individuals with chronic low back pain?

Research has shown that the 45-degree Roman chair exercise is usually easy for people to perform. Studies have found that using the Roman chair can help reduce pain in healthy individuals, which is promising for those with ongoing low back pain.

However, some evidence suggests that this exercise might increase the risk of low back pain for certain individuals. Exercises to strengthen the back have often been shown to reduce pain and lead to positive outcomes.

Overall, while the exercise is generally safe, participants should pay attention to their body's signals and follow any instructions given during the study to minimize potential risks. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the 45-Degree Roman Chair Exercise for chronic low back pain because it offers a non-invasive, drug-free alternative to traditional treatments like medication or surgery. Unlike typical options that may involve painkillers or physical therapy, this exercise targets the lower back muscles directly, potentially strengthening them and reducing pain over time. The exercise's adaptability, where resistance can be gradually increased, allows participants to safely build strength and endurance, which may lead to longer-lasting relief from chronic pain.

What evidence suggests that the 45-Degree Roman Chair Exercise is effective for chronic low back pain?

Research has shown that the 45-degree Roman chair exercise can greatly improve strength in the lower back. Studies have also found that this exercise reduces pain sensitivity, known as hypoalgesia, in the lower back. These benefits have been observed in healthy individuals, suggesting potential help for those with chronic low back pain. In this trial, participants in the intervention group will perform the Roman chair exercise, which strengthens lower back muscles and may reduce pain by improving posture and alignment. Overall, these findings suggest that this exercise could benefit those with chronic low back pain by increasing strength and reducing pain. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with chronic low back pain. Participants should be able to perform the 45-degree Roman chair exercise and commit to a four-week training program. Specific eligibility criteria are not provided, but typically participants would need to meet certain health standards.

Inclusion Criteria

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

I have had chronic low back pain for 12 weeks or more.

Exclusion Criteria

I have used a walking aid like a cane or walker in the last year.

My body weight is 300 lbs or more.

Pregnancy, due to contraindications for exercise testing and ultrasound

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo a four-week dynamic resistance training program using the 45-degree Roman chair

4 weeks

2-3 sessions per week

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in pain sensitivity, muscle thickness, strength, and endurance

2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• 45-Degree Roman Chair Exercise

Trial Overview The study tests how a dynamic resistance training program using the 45-degree Roman chair affects pain sensitivity, muscle performance in the lumbar region, muscle thickness (using ultrasound imaging), strength (measured by handheld dynamometry), and endurance (Biering-Sørensen test).

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

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).

Group II: Control Group Active Control 1 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.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Central Florida

Lead Sponsor

Trials

101

Recruited

1,191,000+

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12741878/

Effect of Roman chair exercise training on the development ... The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 45 degrees Roman chair exercise training on the development of lumbar extension strength.

2. ijspt.scholasticahq.com ijspt.scholasticahq.com/article/132173-reliability-of-pain-thresholds-and-exercise-induced-hypoalgesia-following-45-degree-roman-chair-exercise

Reliability of Pain Thresholds and Exercise-Induced ... The 45-degree Roman Chair may reliably induce significant hypoalgesia over the LB assessed with HPT and PPT in healthy participants.

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11964695/

Reliability of Pain Thresholds and Exercise-Induced ... The 45-degree Roman Chair may reliably induce significant hypoalgesia over the LB assessed with HPT and PPT in healthy participants.

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/10764221_Effect_of_Roman_Chair_Exercise_Training_on_the_Development_of_Lumbar_Extension_Strength

Effect of Roman Chair Exercise Training on the ... The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 45 degrees Roman chair exercise training on the development of lumbar extension ...

5. convergemedtech.com convergemedtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Effect-of-roman-chair-exercise-training-on-the-development-of-lumbar-extension-strength.pdf

Effect-of-roman-chair-exercise-training-on-the- ... ABSTRACT. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 458. Roman chair exercise training on the development of lumbar extension strength.

6. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/316011757_Roman_Chair_Back_Extension_IsIs_Not_a_Safe_and_Effective_Exercise

(PDF) Roman Chair Back Extension Is/Is Not a Safe and ... Despite evidence supporting the aforementioned benefits, performance of this exercise may increase the risk for low back pain among certain ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3963038/

Exercise in the Management of Chronic Back Pain - PMC Musculoskeletal strengthening of the lumbar and cervical extensors has been shown to significantly reduce pain and provide successful clinical results.

8. healthprofessions.ucf.edu healthprofessions.ucf.edu/research/studies/exercise-induced-hypoalgesia-after-45-degree-roman-chair-exercise/

Exercise Induced Hypoalgesia After 45-Degree Roman Chair ... This is a study to examine pain sensitivity, before and after a back extension performed on a 45 degree roman chair. You will attend two testing sessions,

9. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejp.70136?af=R

The Identification of Pain Phenotypes in Individuals With ... Participants performed one set of the back extension exercise on a 45-degree Roman chair machine (Caphaus, Houston, TX) for as many repetitions ...