The effects of balneotherapy on chronic low back pain, functional status, and rowing performance in athletes

This randomized controlled clinical study investigated the therapeutic effects of balneotherapy utilizing thermal-mineral water from the Margaret Island. Northern Thermal Well III B-18. The study assessed low back pain (LBP), functional status, quality of life, lumbar mobility, and specific rowing performance parameters in competitive and recreational rowers. Prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Forty-two athletes with chronic or recurrent load-induced LBP were enrolled and randomized into an intervention group (balneotherapy) or a non-treated control group. The intervention consisted of 15 sessions of 20-min baths over a ca. 3-week period. Measurements were taken at baseline, post-intervention (3 weeks), and at follow-up (12 weeks). Outcome measures included the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), EQ-5D-5L, lumbar mobility tests, and rowing ergometer performance metrics. Balneotherapy resulted in statistically significant short- and long-term reductions in both resting and load-induced pain. The intervention group demonstrated superior improvements in disability indices (ODI) and quality of life compared to controls. Furthermore, the balneotherapy group exhibited significant increases in lumbar lateral flexion and meaningful improvements in rowing performance, characterized by increased average watt output and improved heart rate recovery. Thermal-mineral water therapy provides clinically relevant functional and physiological benefits for rowers suffering from LBP. These findings support balneotherapy as an effective, non-pharmacological complementary modality in sports rehabilitation and performance preservation.