Running is associated with intervertebral disc adaptations: a pre-planned secondary analysis of the ASTEROID randomised controlled trial

Key Points

1. A 12-week run-walk program did not improve intervertebral disc health overall compared to waitlist control in adults with chronic low back pain.

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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

Intervertebral disc degeneration is associated with chronic low back pain (LBP). Running is associated with better disc health, and research shows that cyclic mechanical loading can influence disc health through mechanotransduction. A recent RCT (the ASTEROID trial) found that a 12-week run-walk program improved pain and disability in adults with CLBP.

This study is a secondary analysis of the data from the ASTEROID trial. It examined whether patient factors (baseline degeneration, sex, BMI) and intervention factors (running volume, speed, surface) moderated the effects of the walk/run program on disc composition and health.

Running is associated with better disc health, and research shows that cyclic mechanical loading can influence disc health through mechanotransduction.

The most practical takeaway from the ASTEROID program is that a progressive run-walk program appears to be safe and feasible for adults with chronic LBP who are not currently runners and may improve pain and disability.

METHODS

This was a pre-planned secondary analysis of a 12-week randomized controlled trial with 40 adults aged 18–45 (mean age 33, 50% female) with non-specific chronic LBP. 20 participants were given a run-walk interval program, and 20 were put on a

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