Improvements in ODI and back and leg pain in VAS scores between inclusion and the 1-year follow-up.
| Outcome Measure | Regular Exercise | No Regular Exercise | P Value |
| ODI | 19.2 (18.5–19.8) n = 2511 | 15.9 (15.5–16.3) n = 6892 | <0.001 |
| Back pain (VAS) | 25.2 (24.2–26.3) n = 2476 | 21.8 (21.2–22.5) n = 6844 | <0.001 |
| Leg pain (VAS) | 32.5 (31.3–33.6) n = 2484 | 28.8 (28.1–29.5) n = 6826 | <0.001 |
Abbreviations: ODI, Oswestry Disability Index; VAS, visual analog scale.
Note: Data presented as mean (95% CI). The n is the number included in the complete case analysis for each outcome. Results are from the adjusted analysis of covariance models. The results are adjusted for age, gender, smoking, body mass index, earlier back surgery, workload, and the baseline value of the variable studied.