Effects of a single session of in-person and remote strength training on low back pain and disability outcomes in pregnant women: a randomized and controlled crossover clinical trial.

Background: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effects of a single session of in-person and remote strength training on the outcomes of low back pain, functional disability, and enjoyment in pregnant women.

Methods: The methodology used was an approved controlled and randomized clinical trial by the Research Ethics Committee and registered in the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry. The study involved seventeen pregnant women undergoing one in-person strength training session (IS), one remote strength training session (RS), and one control session (CS) in a randomly determined order. The team conducted assessments using questionnaires for low back pain, functional disability, and enjoyment. We compared the Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) method with a Bonferroni complementary test (α = 0.05) and the Mann-Whitney U test.

Results: Reduced values of low back pain were found after the session for the SUM item in the in-person (Δ-2.06), remote (Δ-1.59), and control (Δ-2.17) sessions, as well as for the INTENSITY item in the in-person (Δ-0.23), remote (Δ-0.12), and control (Δ-0.3) sessions. Reductions in disability values 24 h after the session were observed for the remote (Δ-0.76) and control (Δ-1.59) sessions. Additionally, positive enjoyment values were noted after in-person (117) and remote (119) sessions.

Conclusion: It is concluded that a strength training session can potentially improve or maintain the acute low back pain and disability scale without causing an increase in low back pain symptoms. Furthermore, it can promote a high level of enjoyment, regardless of whether it is conducted in person or remotely. Health education strategies, such as those proposed by the control session in this study, are also beneficial.