Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of isokinetic muscle strength training at different angular velocities on the core muscles of patients with low back pain, and to find out the better angular velocity. Methods From January, 2016 to June, 2018, 60 patients with chronic low back pain were randomly divided into three groups, with 20 cases in each group. Group A (control group) only received routine rehabilitation therapy. Additionally, groups B and C received isokinetic muscle strength training at 30°/s and 90°/s, respectively, three times a week for four weeks. They were measured peak torque and average power before and after training. Results After training, the peak torques and powers of both flexor and extensor were higher in groups B and C than in group A (P < 0.05), the peak torques of both flexor and extensor were lower in group C than in group B (P < 0.05), however, no significant difference was found in powers of both flexor and extensor between groups B and C (P > 0.05). After training, the score of VAS decreased in groups B and C (t > 4.098, P < 0.01), and was lower in groups B and C than in group A (P < 0.05), however, no significant difference was found between groups B and C (P > 0.05). Conclusion Isokinetic muscle strength training could increase the peak torque and power of trunk flexor and extensor in patients with low back pain, in which lower angular velocity (30°/s) has a better effect.

Key words: low back pain, isokinetic muscle strength training, core muscle, angular velocity, peak torque, power