The efficacy of specific therapeutic exercises in wrestling brazilian athletes with chronic low back pain: a case study

Non-specific exercises have demonstrated effectiveness in the neuromusculoskeletal rehabilitation in the short term period. Randomized control trials have showed that specific therapeutic exercises are more effective in the long term than non-specific exercises in the chronic low back pain population. High performance athletes are more likely to develop neuromusculoskeletal injuries due to long periods of high intensity training, overuse, high load movements and less time to recover. In the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Wrestling athletes presented with higher incidence of neuromusculoskeletal injuries. This case study was conducted with a high performance Brazilian athlete who has been suffering from low back pain for the past 13 years. An adaptation of the Quebec Functional Questionnaire, Visual Analogue Scale, Shear Test, Lumbar spine position sense (measure with PBU) and Endurance of Erector Spinae Muscle Test were used as outcome measures on initial assessment and at 6 and 12 months. An exercise program of therapeutic motor control exercises was administered. The results demonstrate a clinically significant improvement of endurance, pain intensity and function suggesting that motor control exercises are an important part of an athlete’s training.