Military PersonnelLBP-H/Q ratioNCT07606040
Low Back Pain and Hamstring-to-Quadriceps Strength Ratio in Military Personnel
An observational study of Military Personnel and Low Back Pain, run by Lithuanian Sports University at 1 site in Lithuania.
Trial summary
The aim of this study was to determine the association between low back pain and the strength of knee flexor and extensor muscles in Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces personnel. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any ageHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Military Personnel, Low Back Pain
- How many people
- 71 participants
- Where
- 1 siteLithuania
- Study dates
- 1 Jan 2026to 22 Apr 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Study population: The study population included active-duty Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces personnel recruited for participation in this cross-sectional analysis
Who may be able to join
- The study participants consisted of a targeted population of Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces personnel
Who cannot join
- Individuals with a clinically diagnosed low back pain disorder or acute episodes of low back pain were excluded
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Lithuania1 site
Department of health promotion and rehabilitation
Kaunas, LT, 44221
About this study
Official title: Association Between Low Back Pain and Hamstring-to-Quadriceps Strength Ratio in Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces Personnel
The aim of this study was to determine the association between low back pain and the strength of knee flexor and extensor muscles in Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces personnel.
Read the detailed description
This cross-sectional study investigated the association between low back pain (LBP) and the hamstring-to-quadriceps (H/Q) strength ratio in personnel of the Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces. Active-duty volunteers with and without LBP underwent isokinetic testing of knee flexor and extensor muscle strength using a Biodex System 4 Pro dynamometer at angular velocities of 60°/s and 120°/s. Hamstring strength, quadriceps strength, H/Q ratios, and inter-limb asymmetries were assessed to explore potential associations with low back pain in this military population.
- Conditions
- Military Personnel, Low Back Pain
- Keywords
- strength, hamstrings, quadriceps muscle
- Medical subject headings
- Low Back Pain
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Military personnel | Targeted population of Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces personnel |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Low back pain prevalence
Participants were asked whether they had experienced low back pain during the past 12 months (yes/no). Participants who responded "yes" were classified into the low back pain group.
Measured: Baseline
Low back pain intensity
LBP intensity was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS, 0-10) , where 0 - no pain, and 10 - worst imaginable pain.
Measured: Baseline
Low back pain duration
Participants were asked to indicate LBP duration. LBP pain duration was classified as acute (<3 months) or chronic (≥3 months)
Measured: Baseline
Muscle strength peak torque
Muscle strength was assessed using the Biodex System 4 isokinetic dynamometer. Participants were instructed to avoid vigorous physical activity 24 hours before testing and refrain from eating for at least 2 hours prior to assessment. A 10-minute warm-up on a cycle ergometer (50-60 W) and light dynamic exercises were performed before testing. Participants were seated with the backrest at 85° and hip flexion at 90°. The dynamometer axis was aligned with the lateral femoral epicondyle, and the lower leg was secured 2-3 cm above the ankle. The range of motion was set from 70° knee flexion to full extension. The trunk and tested limb were stabilized using straps.
Testing included 5 repetitions at 60°/s and 10 repetitions at 120°/s, with a 30-second rest interval between sets. Prior to testing, participants performed 3-5 familiarization repetitions.
Peak torque normalized to body weight (Nm/kg) was recorded.
Measured: Baseline
Average torque
Was measured in Nm
Measured: Baseline
Muscle power
in W
Measured: Baseline
Body weight
Measured in kg
Measured: Baseline
Body height
Measured in meters
Measured: Baseline
Age
Measured in years
Measured: Baseline
Secondary outcomes (1)
Previous injuries
Participants were asked whether they had lumbar or lower limb injuries during the past 12 months that could influence the results (yes / no).
Measured: Baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted26 May 2026
- Study start1 Jan 2026
- Primary completion5 Jan 2026
- Study completion22 Apr 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Military PersonnelStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case crossover
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 71 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Lithuanian Sports University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Vilma Dudoniene, Lithuanian Sports University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07606040
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Lithuanian Sports University31
- Acronym
- LBP-H/Q ratio
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 24 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 26 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be publicly shared due to ethical and privacy restrictions related to participant confidentiality and informed consent agreements.Military personnel is sensitive
Publications
Dudoniene V, Zemaitis E. Prevalence and risk factors of low back pain among Lithuanian national defense volunteer forces. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2025 Oct 17;26(1):978. doi: 10.1186/s12891-025-09235-1.
PubMed 41107932
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 26 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Association Between Low Back Pain and Hamstring-to-Quadriceps Strength Ratio in Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces Personnel
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07606040
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- LBP-H/Q ratio / Lithuanian Sports University31
- Conditions
- Military Personnel, Low Back Pain
- Keywords
- strength, hamstrings, quadriceps muscle
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 71 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Lithuanian Sports UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 5 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 22 Apr 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 26 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The aim of this study was to determine the association between low back pain and the strength of knee flexor and extensor muscles in Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces personnel.
Detailed description
This cross-sectional study investigated the association between low back pain (LBP) and the hamstring-to-quadriceps (H/Q) strength ratio in personnel of the Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces. Active-duty volunteers with and without LBP underwent isokinetic testing of knee flexor and extensor muscle strength using a Biodex System 4 Pro dynamometer at angular velocities of 60°/s and 120°/s. Hamstring strength, quadriceps strength, H/Q ratios, and inter-limb asymmetries were assessed to explore potential associations with low back pain in this military population.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case crossover
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Military personnel | – | –Targeted population of Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces personnel |
Who may qualify
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- The study population included active-duty Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces personnel recruited for participation in this cross-sectional analysis
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- The study participants consisted of a targeted population of Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Forces personnel
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Individuals with a clinically diagnosed low back pain disorder or acute episodes of low back pain were excluded
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Low back pain prevalence
Time frame: Baseline
Participants were asked whether they had experienced low back pain during the past 12 months (yes/no). Participants who responded "yes" were classified into the low back pain group.
Low back pain intensity
Time frame: Baseline
LBP intensity was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS, 0-10) , where 0 - no pain, and 10 - worst imaginable pain.
Low back pain duration
Time frame: Baseline
Participants were asked to indicate LBP duration. LBP pain duration was classified as acute (<3 months) or chronic (≥3 months)
Muscle strength peak torque
Time frame: Baseline
Muscle strength was assessed using the Biodex System 4 isokinetic dynamometer. Participants were instructed to avoid vigorous physical activity 24 hours before testing and refrain from eating for at least 2 hours prior to assessment. A 10-minute warm-up on a cycle ergometer (50-60 W) and light dynamic exercises were performed before testing. Participants were seated with the backrest at 85° and hip flexion at 90°. The dynamometer axis was aligned with the lateral femoral epicondyle, and the lower leg was secured 2-3 cm above the ankle. The range of motion was set from 70° knee flexion to full extension. The trunk and tested limb were stabilized using straps. Testing included 5 repetitions at 60°/s and 10 repetitions at 120°/s, with a 30-second rest interval between sets. Prior to testing, participants performed 3-5 familiarization repetitions. Peak torque normalized to body weight (Nm/kg) was recorded.
Average torque
Time frame: Baseline
Was measured in Nm
Muscle power
Time frame: Baseline
in W
Body weight
Time frame: Baseline
Measured in kg
Body height
Time frame: Baseline
Measured in meters
Age
Time frame: Baseline
Measured in years
1 secondary outcome
Previous injuries
Time frame: Baseline
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 26 May 2026.
- Background: PubMed 41107932Dudoniene V, Zemaitis E. Prevalence and risk factors of low back pain among Lithuanian national defense volunteer forces. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2025 Oct 17;26(1):978. doi: 10.1186/s12891-025-09235-1.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. Individual participant data (IPD) will not be publicly shared due to ethical and privacy restrictions related to participant confidentiality and informed consent agreements.Military personnel is sensitive
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Military Personnel and Low Back Pain, run by Lithuanian Sports University at 1 site in Lithuania.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 26 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Lithuania. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Low back pain prevalence (time frame: Baseline). The study lists 9 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07606040, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 26 May 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 6 Nov 2026.