CAN AN INTERVAL-BASED RUNNING EXERCISE INTERVENTION IMPROVE LUMBAR INTERVERTEBRAL DISC HEALTH? THE ASTEROID RANDOMISED CONTROL TRIAL

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BACKGROUND AND AIMS Low back pain is the leading cause of global disability, with lumbar disc pathologies estimated to contribute to up to 40% of cases. Exercise training is an established treatment to reduce pain intensity and disability in individuals with low back pain; however, the effect of exercise training on intervertebral discs is unknown. Cross-sectional studies have shown that endurance running (>50km per week) is associated with healthier intervertebral discs, as evidenced by greater T2-relaxation (hydration) and intervertebral disc height. However, no studies have explored the relationship between running and disc health prospectively. This study aims to examine the impact of a 12-week progressive run-walk exercise intervention on intervertebral disc health in individuals with chronic low back pain. METHODS Forty individuals with non-specific low back pain were enrolled in a 12-week parallel randomised control trial and allocated to either a digitally-delivered progressive run-walk interval exercise intervention (supervised by an accredited exercise physiologist) or waitlist control. All participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks to examine intervertebral disc health (e.g. T2-relaxation, intervertebral disc height, Pfirrmann grade). RESULTS Thirty-nine participants (20 intervention and 19 waitlist control; mean [SD] age: 33 [6] years, female: 50%) underwent MRI at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks. At baseline, intervertebral disc outcomes were no different in either group (T2-relaxation[ms] mean[SD]:81.07[6.61] and 85.11[9.33]; p=0.939, height[mm] mean[SD]: 8.77[0.87] and 9.03[0.90]; p=0.819, respectively). Six and 12-week outcomes are currently being analysed and results will be available for presentation at the conference. CONCLUSION This randomised control trial will provide world-first evidence on the effects of a progressive run-walk exercise intervention on lumbar intervertebral disc health in adults with non-specific chronic low back pain. Should this intervention prove effective, findings will have marked implications for current guidelines and clinical management of this debilitating chronic condition.

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