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Background: Resisted training of the trunk muscles improves outcomes in chronic low back pain (CLBP). The Itensic b-effect machine was designed to provide resisted training through posterior translation of the pelvis in a seated, forward-tilted position, in contrast with traditional machines that involve extension of the trunk., Objective: To study the effectiveness of lumbopelvic training on the Itensic b-effect machine in individuals with CLBP., Methods: Participants were allocated to 4 weeks of either progressive Itensic (I) training in addition to an education/exercise (EE) program (I+EE group, n= 23) or the education/exercise program alone (EE group, n= 22)., Primary Outcome: Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ)., Secondary Outcomes: pain (0-10 numeric rating scale), trunk extensor endurance (Sorensen test), motor control (thoraco-lumbar dissociation test) and mobility (finger-to-floor test)., Results: RMDQ score improved more in the I+EE group than in the EE group (with a between-group difference at the pos-test). Pain and mobility improved in the I+EE group only, motor control improved in both groups with no between-group difference and the Sorensen test did not improve significantly in either group., Conclusions: Resisted posterior pelvic translation using the Itensic machine in addition to an education/exercise program improved disability, pain and mobility more than the education/exercise program alone.

Background: Very few studies have quantified the degree of fatigue characterized by the decline in the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force of the trunk extensors induced by the widely used Sørensen test., Objective: Measure the degree of fatigue of the trunk extensor muscles induced by the Sørensen test., Methods: Eighty young healthy subjects were randomly divided into a control group (CG) and an experimental group (EG), each including 50% of the two genders. The EG performed an isometric MVC of the trunk extensors (pre-fatigue test) followed by the Sørensen test, the latter being immediately followed by another MVC (post-fatigue test). The CG performed only the pre- and post-fatigue tests without any exertion in between., Results: The comparison of the pre- and post-fatigue tests revealed a significant (P< 0.05) decrease in MVC force normalized by body mass (-13%) in the EG, whereas a small increase occurred in the CG (+2.7%, P= 0.001)., Conclusions: This study shows that the Sørensen test performed until failure in a young healthy population results in a reduced ability of the trunk extensor muscles to generate maximal force, and indicates that this test is valid for the assessment of fatigue in trunk extensor muscles.