OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of 24 weeks of treatment with Mezieres 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 Mezieres 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 < 0.05) 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 > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The Mezieres method showed a positive effect in the elite soccer athletes with nonspecific chronic LBP and can be used as an alternative treatment.
Copyright Human Kinetics. Reprinted with permission from Human Kinetics (Champaign, IL).

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