Core Endurance Versus Segmental Stabilization Exercise in Recreational Athletes With Low Back Pain

Sponsor
Uskudar University
Study ID
NCT07760103
Status
Recruiting
Apply to this trial

Conditions

  • Athletic Injuries
  • Low Back Pain

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 45 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Core endurance exercise program — OTHER
    Supervised isometric core endurance training comprising the front plank, side plank, and superman plank. Each exercise: 20 repetitions of a 15-second isometric hold, two sets, 3-minute rest between sets. Three sessions per week for six weeks.
  • Segmental stabilization exercise program — OTHER
    Supervised motor-control training targeting the transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus, comprising quadruped stabilization, supine transversus abdominis activation with knees flexed, prone lumbar multifidus activation, and standing postural control with co-activation of both muscles. Three sessions per week for six weeks.

Study Details

Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint among athletes, and most cases are classified as non-specific low back pain, in which no clear anatomical or pathological source of pain can be identified. Recreational athletes, who exercise regularly for health and fitness rather than for competition, often have less structured training planning and technical supervision than professional athletes, which may increase their susceptibility to musculoskeletal complaints. Core stability has become an important consideration in the prevention and management of low back pain. The core region includes the abdominal muscles, paraspinal muscles, diaphragm, and pelvic floor muscles, and plays an important role in maintaining spinal stability. Reduced activation and endurance of these muscles may increase the load on the lumbar spine and contribute to the development of low back pain. This randomized trial compares two exercise approaches in recreational athletes with non-specific low back pain: a core endurance exercise program and a segmental stabilization exercise program targeting the transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus. Participants are randomly assigned to one of the two programs, both delivered three days per week for six weeks under physiotherapist supervision. Pain and functional status, dynamic balance, and core muscle endurance are assessed before the program and at the end of the six-week program.

Key Dates

First listed
Aug 12, 2026
Start date
Aug 15, 2026
Status verified
Aug 2026
Primary completion
Dec 1, 2026
Completion
Dec 30, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment
60 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Core endurance exercise
    Participants perform a core endurance exercise program consisting of the front plank, the side plank, and the superman plank, three days per week for six weeks under physiotherapist supervision. Each exercise consists of 20 repetitions with a 15-second isometric hold, repeated for two sets with a 3-minute rest between sets.
  • Active Comparator: Segmental stabilization exercise
    Participants perform a segmental stabilization exercise program targeting the transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus, three days per week for six weeks under physiotherapist supervision. The program comprises quadruped stabilization exercises, supine transversus abdominis activation with the knees flexed, prone lumbar multifidus activation, and standing postural control exercises involving co-activation of both muscles.

Primary Outcome Measure

Change in low back pain and functional status (Micheli Functional Scale) [ Time Frame: Baseline (week 0) and at the end of the six-week exercise program (week 6) ]

Central Contacts

Related Studies