Low back pain is a disabling disease that originates from multifactorial aspects and directly interferes with the daily life of those who suffer from it.

To compare the effects of two suspension training programs on pain in women with chronic low back pain.

Pilot study in which female participants, aged 18-49 years, with chronic low back pain (CLBP) of unspecific origin were selected. As inclusion criteria, participants should be at least moderately active according to the human activity profile (HAP) and have pain >3 according to the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). After the evaluation, the participants were randomized into 3 groups: control group (CG), suspension training group 1 (STG1) and suspension training group 2 (STG2). STG1 performed the training with progression of exercise difficulty, while STG2 performed the program with progression of the number of repetitions every 4 weeks. The training consisted of 24 sessions, twice a week, for 12 weeks. Each session lasted approximately 50 minutes and was divided into 5 minutes of warm-up, 40 minutes of suspension training and 5 minutes of relaxation. Exercises were performed for upper limbs, trunk and lower limbs. The NPRS evaluation was carried out before the start of treatment and after the end of training (12 weeks).

So far, 11 women have participated, 4 in STG1, 4 in STG2 and 3 in CG. The mean age was 31±09 years and the location of the pain was predominantly bilateral. No significant difference was found in the NPRS after training: STG1 (4±3.75 vs 4±1.50), STG2 (4±5.50 vs 4±3.50), CG (3±3.67 vs 3± 3.33) (Wilcoxon test, p>0.05). The intergroup analysis also showed no significant difference (Kruskall Wallis test, p>0.05).

So far, suspension training has not shown significant results in improving low back pain and there is no significant difference between the effects of STG1 and STG2.

This study allows us to present suggestions for suspension training exercises that can be prescribed to women with chronic low back pain.