Increasing Activity and Co-contraction of Local Muscles in the Core Region and Lumbopelvic Motor Control through Immediate Respiratory Muscle Training: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Core muscles play an important role during sports activities and these muscles control trunk stability via appropriate contraction. This study aimed to investigate the effect of immediate respiratory muscle sprint-interval training (RMSIT) on the activity of the selected trunk muscles and lumbopelvic motor control in athletes with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

A double-blind randomized controlled trial design was used for this study. The study population, 48 young athletes aged 18-25 years with CLBP, was randomly divided into training (n = 24) and control groups (n = 24). The study procedure was explained to the subjects. RMSIT was performed by the training group using a spirometer. The training program included six sets of 30-second breathing exercises. Surface electromyography of the selected local (transverse abdominis, multifidus) and global (erector spinae, rectus abdominis) muscles of the trunk and lumbopelvic motor control and patients’ perceived low back pain in pre- and post-tests were recorded in both groups.

The results showed that the activity of the transverse abdominis and co-contraction of local muscles significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) in the training group during static and dynamic overhead squat and single-leg squat. In addition, lumbopelvic stability in the right and left side significantly improved in the training group.

RMSIT can improve local muscle activity and co-contraction of local muscles activity in athletes with CLBP. Moreover, these training can improve lumbopelvic stability.