Participants believed that there were distinctions between general activity , real/fitness exercise , and medical exercise .
People participating in exercise classes and group work may be more comfortable when matched for abilities and experience .
When an intervention interferes with everyday life and appears to be ineffective or too difficult to implement , people make a reasoned decision to discontinue .
DISCUSSION People are likely to prefer and participate in exercise or training programs and activities that are design ed with consideration of their preferences , circumstances , fitness levels , and exercise experiences
OBJECTIVES The global burden of low back pain is the highest ranked condition contributing to years of living with disability .
Exercise is moderately effective , and adherence to exercise may improve if participants are engaged .
Identification of elements that enhance engagement would enable clinicians to prescribe appropriate interventions .
The review objective was to identify and synthesize qualitative empirical studies that have explored beliefs about exercise therapy of people with nonspecific chronic low back pain .
Individuals with low back pain: how do they view physical activity?
BACKGROUND Recent guidelines for those with acute low back pain have advocated early resumption of normal activity and increased physical activity . Little is known about the relationship between low back pain and physical activity , and on the impact of that relationship on the promotion of increased levels of physical activity within a general practice population . OBJECTIVES We aim ed to explore associations between factors that influence changes in physical activity and the way individuals perceive and behave with their low back pain , and the impact of those perceptions and behaviour on physical activity . METHODS Twenty-seven informants were chosen using a purposive sample from a larger group of individuals who , because of their low back trouble , had been referred by their GPs to a community-based , single-blind , r and omized controlled trial ( RCT ) at the University of York , which is evaluating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a progressive exercise programme . Fifty-four interviews were conducted with this subgroup of the RCT ; four informants were interviewed once , 19 twice and four of them three times . Interviews were transcribed and analysed using manual and computer-aided approaches . RESULTS Physical activity was perceived as ( i ) activities of daily living , ( ii ) activities causing breathlessness that they went out of the way to do and ( iii ) more competitive-type activity . The avoidance of physical activity and fear of pain returning were the two main factors directly associated with informants ' backs and changes in physical activity . These two factors hindered increases in physical activity , even though the majority of informants believed strongly that being physically active helped ease their low back pain . CONCLUSIONS When advocating that individuals with acute low back pain return to or increase physical activity , it is important that clinicians identify avoidance of physical activity and /or fear of pain at the earliest stage in order to tailor advice and reassurance appropriately . If avoidance of activity and fear of pain is identified and clinicians want to encourage patients to take up and sustain increased physical activity , they should explore issues of fear of pain , and avoidance of and confidence to do physical activities , in addition to other factors influencing physical activity
Participants believed that there were distinctions between general activity , real/fitness exercise , and medical exercise .
People participating in exercise classes and group work may be more comfortable when matched for abilities and experience .
When an intervention interferes with everyday life and appears to be ineffective or too difficult to implement , people make a reasoned decision to discontinue .
DISCUSSION People are likely to prefer and participate in exercise or training programs and activities that are design ed with consideration of their preferences , circumstances , fitness levels , and exercise experiences
OBJECTIVES The global burden of low back pain is the highest ranked condition contributing to years of living with disability .
Exercise is moderately effective , and adherence to exercise may improve if participants are engaged .
Identification of elements that enhance engagement would enable clinicians to prescribe appropriate interventions .
The review objective was to identify and synthesize qualitative empirical studies that have explored beliefs about exercise therapy of people with nonspecific chronic low back pain .