An investigation into the link between low back pain and transverse abdominus dysfunction

Nicole Wiles                                                                                Supervisor: Graham Smith

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of chronic low back pain and transverse abdominus dysfunction. The investigation was further developed to determine the effects of cardiovascular exercise upon transverse abdominus dysfunction.

40 subjects, 20 with chronic low back pain and 20 with no history of back pain, were recruited. In each group was a mixture of subjects who participated in regular cardiovascular exercise and subjects who participated in no exercise.

Subjects were taught to contract their transverse abdominus in the four point kneeling position and then assessed in the prone position. The measurements were taken using a pressure biofeedback unit and the results were recorded. 

The results demonstrated evidence of a difference between the contraction of transverse abdominus in subjects with and without low back pain. Subjects with chronic low back pain had a statistically significant decrease in their transverse abdominus contraction. The results also showed that transverse abdominus contraction appeared to be independent of cardiovascular exercise.