SUPERVISION OF THE APPLICATION OF SPANISH BACK SCHOOL CRITERIA
IN GYMNASIUMS AND MUSCLE RECOVERY CENTERS IN THE HEALTH CARE
SETTING
Background.
Back problems are the most common illness
in industrialized countries (80% of the population) and generate
the greatest public cost for health care and sick leave.
A strong and balanced musculature improves the spine's stability
and functioning, diminishes the risk of injury to the intervertebral
disc and improves mobility. Furthermore, it improves the unconscious
coordination of the muscles, so that the risk of over-exertion
or injury of the muscles or ligaments is diminished and it
encourages adopting an active lifestyle. However, an inappropriately
focused sporting activity may be a risk factor for back problems.
In fact, it has been shown that sedentary individuals with
poor physical condition have a greater risk of back pain than
those who practice physical activity on a regular basis, which
may be as general as walking or swimming and is not specifically
directed at strengthening the back muscles. Similarly, the
state of the back muscles has an influence on the risk of
back problems. Pain is common and prolonged in those people
with weak back and abdominal muscles. While appropriate physical
exercise, adapted to personal traits, is also effective in
diminishing the risk of back pain.
There are a great number of gymnasiums and sports centers
in Spain and many people go to them to improve their physical
condition and health. For that reason, it would be a good
idea to adopt the measures necessary to ensure that the criteria
applied in these centers encourage truly useful, and not harmful,
exercise for a healthy back.
On the other hand, there are also many Centers and Recovery
services within the health care setting. However, given the
number of scientific studies made throughout the world to
optimize the criteria which should be applied, it is not always
possible to ensure that all Centers are perfectly up-to-date.
Objective.
To organize a mechanism to ensure the compliance
and actualization of the criteria applied in designing programs
of physical exercise and muscle recovery in sports and muscle
recovery centers (in health care settings) so that they are
healthy for the back.
Description.
The Spanish Back School has established its
program of "Member Centers" which may be sports
centers, gymnasiums, rehabilitation centers or centers for
muscle recovery in the health care setting.
Essentially, the program consists of training and supervision:
the EEDE is responsible for training the monitors and trainers
in the Member Centers and keeping their education up-to-date.
Additionally, an area specifically designated for strengthening
of back and abdominal muscles is established in the Center,
aimed at people who have or have suffered back problems. The
School supervises the exercise programs carried out there.
As soon as the Centers meet the criteria defined by the EEDE
and pass the quality control tests to that effect, they are
considered "Member Centers" - that is, accredited
by the Spanish Back School.
Additionally, these centers become a place of referral for
doctors of the region to send their patients when they believe
they should do exercises in a specialized setting for back
pain under proper supervision.
Along with the Kovacs Foundation, the following
have participated in this project.
The sports centers, gymnasiums and rehabilitation and muscle
recovery centers in the health care setting that meet the
criteria set by the Spanish Back School (EEDE).
Status.
In 2002, the Spanish Back School reached
an agreement with a first sports center, S'Aigua Blava, in
Mallorca. Since 2004, and given the success of this pilot
experience, its extension to other settings is being organized.
|
Home
