Aquatic and land aerobic training for patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized study

Purpose
The study aimed to verify the influence of aerobic training environment on pain, disability, and oxygen uptake in patients with chronic low back pain.

Methods
The randomized study involved 14 patients of both sexes, with chronic low back pain. One group performed deepwater walking/running and the other practised land walking/running, both with moderate intensity. Pain, disability, peak oxygen uptake (VO_2peak), and second ventilatory threshold oxygen uptake (VO_2VT2) were assessed before and after the intervention.

Results
Decreases in pain and disability were observed in both groups, without differences between them. VO_2peak and VO_2VT2 did not change in either group after the training.

Conclusions
Aerobic exercise training of moderate intensity seems to be effective in improving pain symptoms and reducing disability among people with chronic low back pain, independently of the environment in which it is performed.