Fig. 1

Trial flowchart outlining participant testing and intervention duration. Fortnightly questionnaires (indicated by FQ; depressive symptoms, pain, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)) are emailed throughout study. At baseline, 3-month and 6-month follow-up the following tests are performed: anthropometry, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, VO₂ peak, one-repetition maximum (1RM) muscular strength, 70% 1RM local muscular endurance (LME), Trunk LME, transcranial magnetic stimulation, magnetic resonance imaging, and questionnaires are given (Sports Injury Rehabilitation Beliefs Survey, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, medication, Oswestry Disability, Medical Outcome Trust Short Form-36 Health Survey V1, Pittsburgh Sleep, Tampa Kinesiophobia, Endicott Work Productivity, PANAS, depressive symptoms and pain)