Research in Sports Medicine and Technology

effect of stretching exercises and Pilates on pain, disability and electrical activity of core muscles of women with back pain.

Articles in Press

Authors

Nasrin Seyyedsiyahi
seyyedsadredin shojaedin
Raghad Memar

kharazmi university

Abstract
low back pain (LBP) is a significant issue and the aim of study was to compare two protocols, stretching exercises and combination of Pilates, regarding their effects on pain, disability, and electromyographic activity of core muscles in women with LBP.

This research employed a semi-experimental clinical trial design with pre-tes, post-test measures and a control group. Thirty women aged 20-35 with LBP were randomly assigned to three groups. Pain using a visual analog scale, disability using the Roland-Morris Questionnaire, and electromyographic activity was measured using bilateral electromyography. The experimental groups performed their exercises for 8 weeks, control group continued their regular daily activities.

Both protocols were effective in reducing pain and disability while increasing electromyographic activity of muscles. Analysis revealed significant differences in post-tests between the intervention groups and the control group. However, no significant difference was observed between the two intervention groups. The results means indicated a greater effect of the combination exercises compared to stretching exercises alone.

The results suggest that stretching exercises and a combination of Pilates are effective in reducing pain, disability and increasing electromyographic activity of core muscles in individuals with LBP. it is recommended to utilize these exercises for improving non-specific chronic LBP.

Keywords

Chronic non-specific back pain
stretching exercises
combined Pilates and stretching exercises
Pain
Disability
muscle electrical activity
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Research in Sports Medicine and Technology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 23 October 2019