Abstract Background A difference in maximum tolerance to mechanical pain (MTMP) between the sexes is widely studied but there is still no consensus on whether the level of physical activity (PA) influences pain. Objectives To compare the MTMP between men and women with different levels of PA. Methods Sixty five individuals were divided in female (n = 35) and male group (n = 30). The main outcome measures were PA level and MTMP by pressure algometry. Pressure was applied three times on both sides at the following points: cervical (5th and 7th) and lumbar (3th and 5th) vertebrae; trapezius, rhomboid, gluteus, gastrocnemius, pectoralis major, tibialis anterior, and deltoid muscles, elbow, hand, knee, and ankle. Results It was observed that the PA level has little influence on the MTMP at all the assessed points and that men have greater MTMP than women. Conclusion Sex, not the PA level, influences the MTMP.

RESUMO O objetivo foi avaliar o efeito do Isostretching na qualidade de vida, na capacidade funcional e na dor de mulheres adultas com dor lombar crônica (DLC) em uma unidade de saúde. Trata-se de um ensaio clínico controlado não randomizado. Os grupos foram divididos em Grupo Intervenção (GI, n= 14) e Grupo Controle (GC, n= 10). As participantes foram avaliadas pelo Questionário de Qualidade de Vida (SF-36), Índice de Incapacidade de Owestry (ODI) e Escala Visual Analógica (EVA). As intervenções foram realizadas durante 3 meses, 2 vezes por semana, com duração de 60 min, totalizando 24 sessões. Na comparação intragrupos, houve melhora em todos os domínios do SF-36 e EVA no GI. Na comparação intergrupos, houve diferença entre GI e GC nos domínios capacidade funcional [(23,2 (16,1) vs 7,0 (16,8), p= 0,02), dor (35,8 (14,1) vs 6,9 (14,0), p= 0,00) e vitalidade (30,3 (14,0) vs 9,0 (7,9), p= 0,02). Quanto à capacidade funcional, 35,7% do GI foram classificadas com Incapacidade Mínima antes da intervenção e após aumentou para 92,9%. Na EVA foi observada diferença significativa entre o GI e GC [(4,8 (2,4) vs 2,1 (2,5), p= 0,00). Desta forma, o Isostretching foi eficaz para melhorar a qualidade de vida, a capacidade funcional e reduzir o quadro álgico de mulheres com DLC na unidade de saúde.

ABSTRACT The aim was to evaluate the effects of isostretching on quality of life, functional capacity and pain in adult women with chronic low back pain in a health unit. It was a non-randomized controlled clinical trial. The groups were divided into Intervention Group (IG, n= 14) and Control Group (CG, n= 10). The participants were assessed before and after the intervention through the SF-36 Life Quality Questionnaire, Owestry Incapacity Index (ODI) and Visual Analogical Pain Scale (VAS). The interventions occurred through 3 months, 2 times per week, with a duration of 60 minutes each, totalizing 24 sessions. In the intragroup comparison, there was observed in all SF-36 domains and VAS in GI. In the intergroup comparison, there was a difference between GI and CG in the domains functional capacity [(23.2 (16.1) vs 7.0 (16.8), p= 0.02)], pain [(35.8 (14.1) vs 6.9 (14.0), p= 0.00)] and vitality [(30.3 (14.0) vs 9.0 (7.9), p= 0.02)]. Regarding functional capacity, 35.7% of GI were classified as Minimal Disability before intervention and after increased to 92.9%. The VAS showed a significant difference between GI and CG [(4.8 (2.4) vs 2.1 (2.5), p= 0.00)]. Thus, Isostretching was effective in improving the quality of life, functional capacity and reducing the pain of women with CLD in the health unit.