title: Discriminant analysis of neuromuscular variables in chronic low back pain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Investigation and discrimination of neuromuscular variables related to the complex aetiology of low back pain could contribute to clarifying the factors associated with symptoms.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Analysing the discriminative power of neuromuscular variables in low back pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study compared muscle endurance, proprioception and isometric trunk assessments between women with low back pain (LBP, n=14) and a control group (CG, n=14). Multivariate analysis of variance and discriminant analysis of the data were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The muscle endurance time (s) was shorter in the LBP group than in the CG (p=0.004) with values of 85.81 (37.79) and 134.25 (43.88), respectively. The peak torque (Nm/kg) for trunk extension was 2.48 (0.69) in the LBP group and 3.56 (0.88) in the GG (p=0.001); for trunk flexion, the mean torque was 1.49 (0.40) in the LBP group and 1.85 (0.39) in the CG (p=0.023). The repositioning error (degrees) before the endurance test was 2.66 (1.36) in the LBP group and 2.41 (1.46) in the CG (p=0.664), and after the endurance test, it was 2.95 (1.94) in the LBP group and 2.00 (1.16) in the CG (p=0.06). Furthermore, the variables showed discrimination between the groups (p=0.007), with 78.6% of the individuals with low back pain correctly classified in the LBP group. In turn, variables related to muscle activation showed no difference in discrimination between the groups (p=0.369).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on these findings, the clinical management of low back pain should consist of both resistance and strength training, particularly in the extensor muscles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, São Paulo State University, Marília, Brazil.
authors.forename: Denise Martineli
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, São Paulo State University, Marília, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mary Hellen
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Morcelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Adalgiso Coscrato
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Cardozo
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Benedito Sérgio
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Denadai
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education, São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, São Paulo State University, Marília, Brazil Department of Physical Education, São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo Tavella
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Navega
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D004576:Electromyography; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology; D019415:Torque; D064232:Visual Analog Scale; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Torque; abdominal muscles; electromyography; physical endurance