title: The association of pain with aerobic fitness in patients with chronic low back pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the association of aerobic fitness (VO(2)max) with pain intensity as reported by a sample of patients with chronic low back pain (LBP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional with partial longitudinal follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient interdisciplinary pain management program in a teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample of 75 patients with chronic LBP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients reported pain intensity before and after undergoing a modified treadmill test. Peak VO(2) was measured by using indirect calorimetry. Predicted VO(2)max was determined by extrapolating peak VO(2) and heart rate values during testing to predicted maximal heart rate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Aerobic fitness and pain intensity before and after testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant relation was found between pain intensity and predicted VO(2)max or aerobic fitness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is no association between pain intensity and aerobic fitness. Deconditioning, defined as a lack of cardiovascular fitness levels normal for age and gender, therefore does not contribute to pain intensity in patients with chronic LBP.
authors.affiliation: Pain Management Program, New England Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA. hwittink@lifespan.org
authors.forename: Harriët
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wittink
authors.forename: Theresa Hoskins
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Michel
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sukiennik
authors.forename: Celeste
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gascon
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rogers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010809:Physical Fitness