Effects of core stability exercise on low back pain and functional disability: An experimental study on fitness enthusiasts
Keywords:
core stability training, low back pain, functional ability, fitness enthusiastsAbstract
Background
Low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints experienced by active individuals, especially fitness enthusiasts. One training method that is widely used to address this problem is core stability training, which focuses on strengthening the core muscles of the body to improve stability and reduce the risk of injury.
Objectives
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of core stability exercises in reducing low back pain and improving functional abilities in individuals who are active in fitness activities.
Methods
This study involved 30 fitness enthusiasts who experienced complaints of low back pain. The research design used a pretest-posttest approach to measure changes in pain levels and functional abilities before and after core stability exercise intervention. Measurement of pain levels was carried out using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), while functional ability was assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 26 software.
Results
The results showed a significant decrease in pain levels, with a pretest VAS mean score of 5.80 decreasing to 3.10 at posttest. In addition, there was an increase in functional ability as indicated by a decrease in ODI score from an average of 28.50 to 15.20 after intervention. Statistical tests showed that core stability exercises had a significant effect on reducing pain and improving functional abilities (p<0.05).
Conclusion
This study confirms that core stability training is an effective training method to reduce low back pain and improve functional ability in fitness enthusiasts. It not only strengthens core muscles and improves body stability, but also contributes positively to daily activities and exercise performance. Therefore, the integration of core stability exercises is recommended in rehabilitation and low back injury prevention programs for active individuals.
