HESS research update - low back pain

Back in 2006 the Centre for Health, Exercise and Sport Science secured funding to purchase the MedX Lumbar Extension Machine for the purpose of specific testing and strengthening the lower back, and for treating chronic low back pain (CLBP). 

Since then, Laboratory Director Dr Stewart Bruce-Low has also received funding from Backcare, a charity funding research into low back pain, to conduct research to further understanding of the condition and its treatment. Dr Bruce-Low has already published several studies conducted using the equipment and now his doctoral student, James Steele, has published further evidence demonstrating its efficacy and refining understanding of the approach it utilises.

The first study completed by James in his course of doctoral research has involved examining the effects of the range of motion utilised during exercise for strengthening the lower back in people suffering with CLBP. For some sufferers, pain is experienced in the extremes of the range of motion (either bent fully forwards or backwards) and so investigation as to whether exercise can be effective even when avoiding these positions is of great value.

The results of James’ study demonstrated that, regardless of the range of motion utilised, participants training for 12 weeks using the lumbar extension machine significantly improved their strength and significantly reduced their pain and disability.

The reasoning why such strengthening exercise is so effective is due to the suggestion that, in people suffering from CLBP, the muscles that extend the lower back are weak and deconditioned. Thus James conducted further analyses on his data to uncover whether the improvements in strength were associated with improvements in pain and disability. The findings revealed that the participants with the greatest increases in strength also had the greatest improvements in pain and disability, suggesting a link between the two.

James presented preliminary results from this research last year in Edinburgh at Physiology 2012 – the main annual conference of the Physiological Society, and the study has also been published in the medical journal Spine. This study offers further evidence to the effectiveness of a brief, infrequent specific exercise program using a high intensity of effort to strengthen the lower back muscles, in rehabilitating those with CLBP. The research team are in the midst of a number of further studies in this area so look forward to the results of those in the near future.

Solent students help AFC Bournemouth think positive

Four students from Solent’s BSc Sport Coaching and BSc Applied Sport Science courses recently delivered a workshop on ‘Positive Thinking’ at AFC Bournemouth (AFCB). Will Ansell (Year 2 Applied Sport Science), Gavin Forbes (Year 3 Sport Coaching), Daryanne Ryan (Year 3 Sport Coaching) and Ellie Wells (Year 1 Sport Coaching) planned and delivered the session for the year 1 and 2 academy players.

Solent students at Dean Court

This session was the third that Solent staff and students have run for the academy to improve players’ performance on the field. Peter Barry, Head of Education at AFCB, thanked the team of students for the “excellent series of psychology workshops” they delivered. “From the initial lecture to the final session all the players were involved and have gained significantly from the interactive programme”, commented Peter.

Matt Johnson, BSc Sport Coaching Course Leader, regularly works with the first team players at AFCB and after delivering their session the Solent students had the opportunity to observe Matt’s work, as well as tour the clubs facilities, watch some of the coaching sessions, meet the coaching staff and even sit in on one of the pre-match presentations.

 

Academy players receive guidance from Solent students



 “It was a valuable experience which gave me an insight into a scholarship programme at a professional football club”, said student Gavin, who is going to be working in a professional football academy at the end of this year. “The opportunity was enriching and of significant importance to me as I pursue a career in coaching at an academy level.” As a direct result of being involved in activities like this, Will has been offered a year-long placement with AFCB academy next year. Peter Barry commented, “Such was the impact of the sessions, AFCB are delighted to be able to offer Will an internship with the club to build on the programme and continue to help all the players (and staff) develop in what is a very fast moving environment.”

Saints Ladies receive sports conditioning support

Two final year BSc (Hons) Fitness and PersonalTraining students recently started an internship with Southampton Saints Ladiesfootball club. Cormac Lisle-Fenwick and Aaron Kennedy, who are both studying the Sports Conditioning unit, have impressed head coach Mike Dixon who comments, "we are a few weeks into our sessions at the moment with Aaron and Cormac and we've been really impressed with the sessions that they have put on". 

Sports Conditioning unit leader Marcus Sanger added, "these two students have consistently applied themselves well to their studies and it is great to hear that their knowledge and skills are being so well received". Students completing the Sports Conditioning unit will also be provided with the opportunity to gain a REPs accredited Sports Conditioning certificate endorsed with 16 REPs CPD points which further enhances their employability.