RESUMO
BACKGROUND: There is evidence that core stabilisation, strength and endurance training contribute to reduce low back pain in the general population. However, we are not aware of the effect of these exercises on fighter aviation pilots. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the effects of an exercise protocol on chronic low back pain in Brazilian Air Force fighter pilots. Changes in neck pain, lumbar disability, range of motion, strength and resistance were also investigated. METHODS: Fourteen participants with chronic low back pain were randomised into two groups: stabilisation exercise group (SEG-n=7), exercise protocol twice a week for 12 weeks) and the regular exercise group (REG-n=7), which performed their own usual exercise routine. The evaluations were carried out before and after the training period. The primary outcome was the intensity of low back pain and the secondary outcomes were cervical pain, functional disability, range of motion, maximum isometric strength and trunk muscle resistance. RESULTS: The SEG had a significant reduction in low back pain compared with the REG (difference of 2.3 points, p=0.04) and a lower rate of cervical pain (difference of 2.5 points, p=0.01) at the end of the protocol. Maintenance of trunk muscle strength was also observed in the SEG over the period, while the REG presented a decrease in flexural strength to the right side (difference between groups: -3.7%, p=0.04). There were no differences in the rates of disability, range of motion or resistance to fatigue between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The stabilisation exercise programme focused on the core muscles was successful in decreasing the fighter pilots' chronic lumbar pain. Pilots are normally active; however, our results indicate that specific trunk training programmes should be offered considering the work needs of these subjects. CLINICAL TRIALS: 'Exercise protocol for pilots with back pain' (registered: 09 October 2018)-NCT03713814 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03713814).
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Low back pain in military pilots is a frequent condition which constantly leads to absences from work, decreased concentration and performance during flight, as well as changes in work functions. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analytical study including 28 fighter pilots who underwent an evaluation comprising muscle strength and fatigue resistance, trunk mobility and application of questionnaires to identify associated clinical factors. RESULTS: It was observed that 68% of the pilots reported low back pain with an average pain intensity of 3.7 at numerical pain scale in the last week. No significant differences were observed regarding the range of motion and trunk muscle strength when pilots with low back pain were compared with asymptomatic pilots. However, lateral right trunk muscle (mean difference=16, 95% CI 0.6 to 33.0]) and lateral left trunk muscle (mean difference=22, 95% CI 1 to 44) fatigue sooner in pilots with low back pain when the two groups were compared (p=0.04 for both). CONCLUSION: There was a high rate of low back pain complaints among fighter pilots. There was also a significant reduction in fatigue resistance of the lateral trunk muscles in symptomatic pilots when compared with asymptomatic pilots. These factors must be considered in the physical training of this population.
