The Mézières Method as a Novel Treatment for Elite Spanish Second-Division Soccer League Players With Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
in Journal of Sport RehabilitationBy purchasing this content you agree and accept the terms and conditions
Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of 24 weeks of treatment with Mézières method in a Spanish elite second-division soccer team with low back pain (LBP), analyzing their state of back health, flexibility, pain, and steps speed. Design:Double-blind randomized controlled trial. Methods:A total of 20 players with LBP from the second soccer division league were allocated equally to the experimental and control groups (n = 10) as per selection criteria and participated in 2 different rehabilitation programs. The postural Mézières method was implemented in the experimental group, whereas the standard European treatment protocol for LBP was implemented in the control group. Both treatments had a twice weekly session of 40 minutes duration for 24 weeks consecutively with a follow-up in the fourth, 12th, and 24th weeks. Results: Multivariate analysis of covariance with the baseline assessment as a covariance showed a significant difference between groups at the 12th and 24th weeks of the treatment for pain and back functionality. A relevant difference between the experimental and control groups was shown only at the 24th week of the treatment (P < .05) for back flexibility. A significant difference between groups was reported for the quality of life scale and steps speed at the 24th week of the treatment (P > .05). Conclusion: The Mézières method showed a positive effect in the elite soccer athletes with nonspecific chronic LBP and can be used as an alternative treatment.
Lena, J. Todri, Azorín, Fuentes, Castejon, Garzón, and Gil are with the Health Science Department, UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, Murcia, Spain. A. Todri is with the Faculty of Economics, Aleksandër Xhuvani University, Elbasan, Albania. Papajorgji is with the Faculty of Engineering, Canadian Institute of Technology, Tirana, Albania. Sanchez is with the Physiotherapy Department, Miguel Hernández University (UMH), Elche, Spain.
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