ABSTRACT
Certain professions require a high level of physical activity such as refuse collectors, fire-fighters or nursing personnel. The literature also indicates that these professions show a high risk of developing low back problems (LBP) (Magora, 1993; Battié et al., 1989; Burton et al., 1989). From the above, one could conclude that high physical demands can lead to low back problems. Conversely, physical activity has been promoted by back schools to prevent low-back problems (Knibbe, 1993). It is assumed that a well controlled training programme to build up physical fitness will provide more resistance against low-back problems for persons performing daily tasks with a high physical activity demand (Knibbe, 1993).
