None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This project aims to compare different swim strokes (freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke) for pain response and biomechanical movements in the spine in participants with chronic low back pain. This will be completed with 30 adult participants at Macquarie University Aquatic Centre. Participants experiencing an episode of chronic low back who are comfortable with completing 100m of swimming in freestyle, breaststroke, and backstroke will be eligible to participate. Participants will attend one 1-hour session. Participants will then complete a set of swimming trials for each swim stroke (Freestyle, breaststroke, and backstroke), totaling three 100m swimming trials. They will be instructed to swim at a comfortable pace and, if required, to take short breaks after every 25m. Participants will complete a short warm up prior to each swim (a 50m walk) and will be given a 10-minute rest break in between each swimming trial. The primary outcome is the average and worst pain experienced during each swimming exposure. Secondary outcomes include further measures of pain, heart rate, perceived exertion, accelerometer data and self-rated swim stroke preference.
Interventions
This trial will compare the pain experience of three different swimming styles (freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke) in participants with chronic low back pain. Each participant will complete one swimming session, including 3 sets of 100m swimming (one for freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke) in a random order, totalling to 300m of swimming. Each session will be supervised one on one by a physiotherapist, and will be completed in a public pool that is under lifeguard supervision.
While sw
This trial will compare the pain experience of three different swimming styles (freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke) in participants with chronic low back pain. Each participant will complete one swimming session, including 3 sets of 100m swimming (one for freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke) in a random order, totalling to 300m of swimming. Each session will be supervised one on one by a physiotherapist, and will be completed in a public pool that is under lifeguard supervision. While swimming, participants will be allowed short rest breaks after ever 25m, if required. Participants will complete a 10-minute break between each swim stroke, and a 50m walking warm up before commencing each swim stroke. This will be completed in a one-off session in a lifeguard supervised indoor heated 25m pool. Notes will be taken to record any deviations from the prescribed swimming strokes, for example if a participant fails to complete 100m of a specific swim stroke.
Sponsors
Macquarie University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Crossover
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Adult participants will need to meet the following criteria: A current episode of non-specific low back pain, lasting at least 3 months, with or without leg pain. Experiencing at least some disability due to low back pain (defined as “a little bit” and above on an adapted item 22 of the SF-36). A minimum of 2/10 average pain in the last 7 days on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Experiences an increase of low back pain (>1 point on NPRS) with active lumbar flexion, extension, or rotation. Able to confidently swim 100 m using freestyle, breaststroke, and backstroke. This can include taking short breaks after 25 meters if required.
Exclusion criteria
Participants will be excluded if they meet the following: Have been diagnosed with a medical condition that could impact their ability to exercise safely unless they have been cleared to exercise by their General Practitioner. Have a serious spinal pathology such as cancer, fracture, or infection. Are pregnant. Insufficient English to comprehend study questions and instructions. Presence of radicular pain (dermatomal pain extending below the knee, which is more intense than the low back pain) or radiculopathy (loss of power, sensation, or reflexes in the lower extremity)
Outcome results
None listed