title: Physiological work performance in chronic low back disability: effects of a progressive activity program.
abstract: Fifteen patients were tested before and after treatment in a multifaceted inpatient program for chronic low back pain to determine if a gradually progressive activity program affected gait performance and physiological capacity. Before treatment, all patients demonstrated decreased physiological conditioning by higher-than-expected values for oxygen consumption and heart rate and by lower-than-normal gait velocity, stride length, and cadence. After treatment, an increase in mean walking velocity of 19 meters/minute reflected parallel gains in cadence and stride length. Improved mechanical performance resulted in improved "energetics." Energy spent per unit of distance walked decreased by 18 percent after treatment, providing a useful measure of increased physiological efficiency. Results indicated that patients with chronic low back disability can derive significant conditioning effects from an exercise program based on general function.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000379:methods*; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen