Effect of core stability exercise on activation of abdominal muscles and lumbar flexibility in men with specific chronic low back pain

Lumbar disc herniation is the most common specific cause of chronic low back pain and exercise therapy is one of the goals of its management. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of core stability exercises on activation of abdominal muscles and flexibility of lumbar in men with disc herniation.

The subjects of this clinical trial study were 20 young and middle-aged men with lumbar disc herniation referred to physiotherapy in rasht in first half of year 1399 who were randomly divided into two groups of core stability exercises (n=10) and control (n=10). The electrical activity of the internal oblique, external oblique, and rectus abdominis muscles was measured by electromyography and abdominal muscle strength by straight leg raising test and flexibility by sit and reach test. Training protocol of intervention group included 8 weeks of core stability exercise, while the control group was only followed up. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t test an analysis of covariance test with SPSS software.

Activation of 3 muscles and strength and flexibility after 8 week of exercise had a significant improvement(p<0/05)but changes were not significant in control group. However, analysis of covariance showed a difference between two groups in activation of all three muscles and flexibility(p<0/05)But no significant difference was observed in muscle strength.

Our findings showed, people with disc herniation experience greater activation, strength, and flexibility in trunk muscles after core stability exercise thus can be considered in rehabilitation.