Reduction of postural sway in athletes with chronic low back pain through eight weeks of inspiratory muscle training: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

Postural control and respiratory function are mechanically and neuromuscularly dependent on each other. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of inspiratory muscle training on postural sway in athletes with chronic low back pain.

METHODS

Twenty-four patients were randomly selected as the experimental group and 23 patients as the control group. The experimental group underwent the inspiratory muscle training protocol for eight weeks, seven days per week and twice daily. The postural sway variables were recorded using a plantar pressure measurement device. The postural sway variables were recorded when performing overhead and single leg squat. Patient's perceived low back pain was assessed using Visual Analog Scale. Disability was assessed using the Athletes Disability Index questionnaire. Patient depression/anxiety was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-4.

FINDINGS: The results of the two-way ANOVA in the overhead squat test showed that postural sway indices significantly decreased in the experimental group after 8-weeks intervention compared to the pre-test values. The results of the two-way ANOVA in single leg squat test showed significant differences between the pre- and post-test in the experimental group in the postural sway indices except for the factor of standard deviation Y, also compared to the pre-test value, pain was significantly decreased in the experimental group.

INTERPRETATION: The 8-weeks inspiratory muscle training decreased postural sway in athletes with chronic low back pain when performing the overhead and single leg squat. In addition, the pain index decreased after 8-weeks of inspiratory muscle training.