Abstract
[Purpose] The aim of this study was to compare blood levels of antioxidants, malonaldehyde, and lactate between patients with low back pain and healthy controls. [Subjects] Ten patients with at least 6 months of low back pain and 10 healthy adult controls were recruited for this study. [Methods] To measure superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, malonaldehyde, and lactate levels on the basis of exercise intensity, we conducted a graded exercise test. Blood (20 mL) was collected 3 times (at rest and peak exercise, and in the recovery period), and analyzed. [Results] During peak exercise, levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, malonaldehyde, and lactate in patients with low back pain were significantly different from those of controls. There were no significant differences between the low back pain and control subjects during the resting and recovery periods. [Conclusion] Reduced physical activity in patients with low back pain increases free radical capacity, resulting in increased antioxidant capacity and higher lactate levels. Therefore, physical therapists treating patients with low back pain must consider these characteristics and educate patients about them.
