Back extension endurance time and muscle fatigue of university students with and without history of low back pain: preliminary findings

The purpose of this ongoing study is to assess back extension endurance time and muscle fatigue of university students with and without history of low back pain (LBP). To date, 11 graduate students (5 with and 6 without LBP) have participated, and the final sample will be 30 (15/group). The electromyographic (EMG) activity of the lumbar multifidus and iliocostalis muscles was measured using a Biometrics System (Guent, UK) during the Biering-Sorensen Test (BST), which evaluates back extension endurance. The trends indicate that back extension endurance is lower and muscle fatigue is higher in those with LBP history compared to those without it. The final results will be presented at the conference.