But don’t give up on other exercises, says local physiotherapist

Robert Kell, assistant professor of exercise physiology at the University of Alberta, recently released a study that determined resistance training is more effective than aerobic training, when it comes to relieving low back pain.

Twenty-seven participants took part in a 16-week training program. Nine did resistance training, nine did aerobic, and nine did nothing. Those doing aerobic exercise were free to choose any activity aside from swimming, because the water affects a person’s perceived exertion rate, and those doing resistance training did whole-body weight lifting using typical gym equipment.

“In my opinion, due to the type of resistance training we employed, by exercising the whole body the body and muscle became strong and had more endurance,” Kell said. “That’s usually when pain or injury will onset, is when the body is fatigued. By fighting off the fatigue we relieved some of the pain, not all of the pain, but a substantial portion of it.”

“In the study, it was a substantial improvement in reduced pain, reduced disability, and increased quality of life, and increased strength,” Kell said. “So the recommendation would be people should try whole body resistance training as opposed to aerobic training.”

But Amy Guidinger, physiotherapist at Jasper Physiotherapy and Massage, said people shouldn’t cut out aerobic exercise, despite the results of the study. “Having a good aerobic base and a good fitness level ensures your tissues are getting a healthy amount of circulation, that’s how they stay strong and healthy.” 

Guidinger said she always recommends cardiovascular exercise, as part of a rounded fitness regimen. “I don’t know if I would recommend just one thing,” she said. “Most of the time when I see somebody it’s about establishing a regular fitness and health routine for body maintenance.”

A well-rounded fitness routine includes cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, strength, as well as balance and control. “If someone totally stopped their cardiovascular program, that’s not doing them any benefit,” Guidinger said.

At the same time, information from studies like this should be applied with the knowledge that it is very specific and addresses one particular topic, where physical problems can be a result of a combination of factors.

“It’s never just one thing,” she said. “And even with our hands-on treatment, it’s made more effective by people doing exercises.”