Over 50 peer reviewed studies have been published on the exercise protocols used by NCRC that have documented the effectiveness of this approach to the treatment of chronic low back and neck pain. Below is a brief bibliography of this research.
Carpenter, D. and B. Nelson. "Low back strengthening for health, rehabilitation and injury prevention." Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise . 31(1):18-24.1999.
Carpenter, D., D. Feurtado, N. Delude, J. Graves, M. Pollock, D. Foster, and M. Fulton. "Effect of submaximal effort and knowledge of previous results on the reliability of lumbar extension strength." Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 25(5):S181, 1993.
Carpenter, D., S. Leggett, M. Pollock, J. Graves, G. Young, L. Garzerella, and A. Jones. "Quantitative assessment of isometric lumbar extension net muscular torque." Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 23(4): 565, 1991.
Carpenter, D., T. Brigham, M. Welsch, D. Foster, J. Graves, D. Hepler, M. Fulton, and M. Pollock. "Low back strength comparison of elite female collegiate athletes." Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 26(5): 51 13, 1994.
Carpenter, D.M., J.E. Graves, and M.L. Pollock. "Effect of visual feedback on repeated trials of full range-of-motion isometric strength." Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 20(2): 54, 1988.
Carpenter, D.M., M.L. Pollock, J.E. Graves, S.H. Leggett, and D. Foster. "Effect of 12 and 20 weeks of resistance training on lumber extension torque production." Physical Therapy 71(8):580-588, 1991.
Dreisinger, T. "The use and misuse of performance testing." Orthopedics 17(5):473-477, 1994.
Dreisinger, T. and B. Nelson. "Management of back pain in athletes." Sports Medicine 24(4):313-320, 1996.
Foster, D., M. Avillar, M. Pollock, I. Graves, G. Dudley, D. Woodard, and D. Carpenter. "Adaptations in strength and cross-sectional area of the lumbar extensor muscles following resistance training." Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 25(5):547, 1993.
Foster, D., S.H. Leggett, J.E. Graves, M.L. Pollock, D.M. Carpenter, B. Holmes, and R.W. Braith. "Effect of training frequency on lumbar extension strength." Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 21(2):S88, 1989.
Fulton, M., G.P. Jones, M.L. Pollock, J.E. Graves, J. Cirum, S.H. Leggett, D.M. Carpenter and A. Jones. "Rehabilitation and testing...conservative treatment for lower back and cervical problems." Rehabilitation Management 3(Apr/May):UF2-40, 1990.
Graves, J.E., C.K. Fix, M.L. S.H. Leggett, D.N. Foster, and D.M. Carpenter. "Comparison of two restraint systems for pelvic stabilization during isometric lumbar extension strength testing." Journal of Orthopaedic Sports Physical Therapy 15(1):37-42, 1992.
Graves, J.E., D. Webb, M.L. Pollock, J. Matkozich, S.H. Leggett, D.M. Carpenter, and J. Cirulli. "Effect of training with pelvic stabilization on lumbar extension strength." International Journal of Sports Medicine 11(5):403, 1990.
Graves, J.E., D. Webb, M.L. Pollock, J. Matkozich, S.H. Leggett, D.M. Carpenter, and J. CiruIli. "Pelvic stabilization during resistance training: Its effect of the development of lumbar extension strength." Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 75:210-215, 1994.
Graves, J.E., G. Young, J. Cauraugh, L. Garzarella, D. Carpenter, S. Leggett, and M.L. Pollock. "Influence of knowledge or results on variability during maximal and submaximal isometric lumbar extension strength measurement." Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport 63(1):A33, 1992.
Graves, J.E., M.L. Pollock, D. Foster, S.H. Leggett, D.M. Carpenter, R. Vuoso, and A. Jones. "Effect of training frequency and specificity on isometric lumbar extension strength." Spine .15(6):504-509, 1990.
Graves, J.E., M.L. Pollock, D.M. Carpenter, S.H. Leggett, A. Jones, M. MacMillan, and M. Fulton. "Quantitative assessment of full range-of-motion isometric lumbar extension strength." Spine 15(4):289-294, 1990.
Graves, J.E., M.L. Pollock, S.H. Leggett, D.M. Carpenter, C.K. Fix, and M.N. Fulton, "Limited range-of motion lumbar extension strength training." Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 24(1):128-133, 1992.
Kuritzky, L. and D. Carpenter. "Primary care approach to acute and chronic low back pain." Primary Care Reports 1(4):29-38, 1995.
Leggett, S., B. Nelson, V. Mooney, T. Dreisinger, J. Zytveld, and L. Vie. "Successful management of clinical low back pain: a prospective multicenter study with one year follow-up." Spine (in press).
Leggett, S.H., J.E. Graves, M.L. Pollock, D. Foster, D.M. Carpenter, and R. Vuoso. "Specificity of lumbar extension strength training." International Journal of Sports Medicine 1l(5):403A04, 1990.
Leggett, S.H., M.L. Pollock, J. Graves, A. Jones, M. MacMillan, D.M. Carpenter, and K. Onodera. "Quantitative assessment of full range-of-motion lumbar extension strength." Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 20(2):587, 1988.
Mooney, V., M. Kron, P. Rummerfield, and B. Holmes. "The effect of workplace based strengthening on low back injury rates: a case study in the mining industry." Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 5(3):157-167, 1995.
Nelson, B. "A rational approach to the treatment of low back pain." Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine 10(5):67-82, 1993.
Nelson, B., D. Carpenter, T. Dreisinger, M. Mitchell, E. O'Reilly, C. Kelly, J. Wegner, A. Coulter, J. Palen, and M. Hogan. "Can spinal surgery be prevented by aggressive strengthening exercise? A prospective study of cervical and lumbar patients." Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 80:20-26:1999.
Nelson, B., O'Reilly E, Miller M., Hogan M, Wegner J, and Kelly C. "The clinical effects of intensive, specific exercise on chronic low back pain: a controlled study of 895 consecutive patients with 1-year follow up." Orthopedics 18(10):971-981, 1995.
Pollock, M.L., L. Garzarella, J.E. Graves, D.M. Carpenter, S.H. Leggett, D. Lowenthal, M.N. Fulton, D. Foster, J. Tucci, R. Mananquil. "Effects of isolated lumbar extension resistance training on bone mineral density of the elderly." Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 24(5):566, 1992.
Pollock, M., J. Graves, S. Leggett, G. Young, L. Garzarella, D. Carpenter, M. Fulton, and A. Jones. "Accuracy of counterweighting to account for upper body mass in testing lumbar extension strength." Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 23(4):566, 1991.
Pollock, M.L., J.E. Graves, D.M. Carpenter, D. Foster, S.H. Leggett, M.N. Fulton. "Muscle." In Rehabilitation of the Spine:Science and Practice S. Hochschuler, R. Guyer, H. Cofler, and Carranza (eds.), St. Louis:Mosby, pp.263-284, 1993.
Pollock, M., S. Leggett, J. Graves, A. Jones, J. Cirulli, and M. Fulton. "Effect of resistance training on lumbar extension strength." American Journal of Sports Medicine 17:624-629, 1989.
Risch, S., M. Norvell, M. Pollock, E. Risch, H. Langer, M. Fulton, J. Graves, and L. Leggett. "Lumbar strengthening in chronic low back pain patients: physiological and psychological benefits." Spine 18(2);232-238, 1993.
Robinson, M., A. Greene, P. O'Connor, J. Graves, and M. MacMillan. "Reliability of lumbar isometric torque in patients with chronic low back pain." Physical Therapy 72(3):186-190, 1992.
Tucci, J., D.M. Carpenter, M. Pollock, J. Graves, and S. Leggett. "Effect of reduced training frequency and detraining on lumbar extension strength." Spine, 17(12):1497-1501, 1992.
