Risk-Benefit Considerations for Deadlifting in Rehabilitating Low-Back Injuries

by Alexander Weber, CSCS, and Michael Fanning, DC, DACBSP, CSCS
NSCA Coach April 2025
Vol 11, Issue 3

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This article highlights the key benefits of deadlifts in exercise therapy, addressing the often-overlooked issue of low-back pain in strength and conditioning.

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This article originally appeared in NSCA Coach, a quarterly publication for NSCA Members that provides valuable takeaways for every level of strength and conditioning coach. You can find scientifically based articles specific to a wide variety of your athletes’ needs with Nutrition, Programming, and Youth columns. Read more articles from NSCA Coach »

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REFERENCES

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  2. Berglund, L, Aasa, B, Hellqvist, J, Michaelson, P, and Aasa, U. Which patients with low back pain benefit from deadlift training? Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 29(7): 1803-1811, 2015.
  3. Coratella, G, Tornatore, G, Longo, S, Esposito, F, and Cè, E. An electromyographic analysis of Romanian, step-Romanian, and stiff-leg deadlift: Implication for resistance training. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19(3): 1903, 2022.
  4. Fernández-Rodríguez, R, Álvarez-Bueno, C, Cavero-Redondo, I, Torres-Costoso, A, Pozuelo-Carrascosa, DP, Reina-Gutiérrez, S, et al. Best exercise options for reducing pain and disability in adults with chronic low back pain: Pilates, Strength, core-based, and mind-body. A network meta-analysis. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy 52(8): 505-521, 2022.
  5. Fischer, SC, Calley, DQ, and Hollman, JH. Effect of an exercise program that includes deadlifts on low back pain. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation 30(4): 672-675, 2021.
  6. Haff, G, and Triplett, NT. Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. Fourth edition. Champaign, IL; Human Kinetics: 2016.
  7. Hughes, DC, Ellefsen, S, and Baar, K. Adaptations to endurance and strength training. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine 8(6): a029769, 2018.
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  9. Kim, CH, Choi, Y, Chung, CK, Kim, KJ, Shin, DA, Park, YK, et al. Nonsurgical treatment outcomes for surgical candidates with lumbar disc herniation: A comprehensive cohort study. Scientific Reports 11: 3931, 2021.
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  19. Whittal, MC, Zwambag, DP, Vanderheyden, LW, McKie, GL, Hazell, TJ, and Gregory, DE. High load with lower repetitions vs. low load with higher repetitions: The impact on asymmetry in weight distribution during deadlifting. Frontier in Sports and Active Living 2: 2020.
  20. Wu, A, March, L, Zheng, X, Huang, J, Wang, X, Zhao, J, et al. Global low back pain prevalence and years lived with disability from 1990 to 2017: Estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Annals of Translational Medicine 8(6): 299, 2020.
About the author

Alexander Weber, CSCS

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Alexander Weber is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and a Doc ...

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About the author

Michael Fanning, CSCS

Southern California University of Health Sciences

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Michael Fanning is the Tactical Sports Medicine Lead Clinician at Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU). At SCU, he provides conserv ...

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