Exercise therapy is an integral part of nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP). Effects of high-intensity training have not yet been investigated in this population. The results of the current study determined that high intensity exercise therapy appears to be beneficial in NSCLBP.

To manage the condition of nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP), low to moderate intensity exercises are the principal element, but the effect sizes are small and optimal exercise modalities are no clear. Contrarily, the influence of high-intensity exercises has not yet been examined in this population. This non-randomized controlled feasibility study aims to examine the effects of a HIT program on exercise capacity and disease-related outcome dimensions than traditional therapy among NSCLBP patients.

The patients of both who received 6 weeks (12 sessions, 1.5 hours/session, 2 x/week) of high load resistance training with high intensity cardiovascular and medium intensity/load conventional physical therapy evaluated for pain, disability, physical activity, self-reported motivation, exercise capacity, adherence, body composition, and treatment satisfaction pre and postoperatively. 

At baseline, no difference was seen between the groups except for lean mass and gender ratio. Patients received HIT showed higher therapy adherence, motivation to rehabilitate better, improved time to exhaustion, activity level and peak workload during the study course as compared to the CON. On the other hand, disability found to be reduced among both the groups. No group showed any adverse event. 

High-intensity exercise seems to be a useful rehabilitation program among NSCLBP patients. However, large-scale RCT studies are yet required to define HIT efficacy.