Introduction: Low back pain can limit mobility due to morphological changes in lumbar muscles strength and endurance. These changes lead to a decrease of muscles strength and endurance, and it reduces the stability of the region of the lumbar spine. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of core stabilization exercise with Swiss ball on the pain intensity and trunk muscles endurance of women with idiopathic chronic low back pain (ICLBP).
Methodology: This was quasi-experimental study and statistical sampling was conducted in the form of targeted and available. Statistical sampling was consisted 30 women (height 158.00±6.03 cm and weight: 66.83±10.77 kg) with ICLBP. The age range was 30 to 50 years. A specialist physician referred them. They were divided into two equal and homogeneous groups (experimental group, n=15 and control group, n=15). The pain intensity and flexor and extensor trunk muscles endurance were measured by Quebec questionnaire, sit-up test and Sorenson test, respectively. Core stability exercises with Swiss ball performed for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week with a duration of 60 minutes. All parameters measured in pre and post intervention.The data were analyzed by paired sample t-test and covarians analysis (P<0.05).
Results: the significant reduction was showed in the pain intensity of the exprimental group, after training (27.80±18.18) compared to pre-exercise (35.00±20.78) (p<0.008). The 26% increasing was observed in maintenance time of the sorenson test and 38% increasing in the number of repetitions of sit-up test. It indicated significant improvement in trunk muscles endurance of ICLBP patients in after training (p<0.008).
Conclusion: Core stabilization exercises on unstable surfaces focus on trunk muscles and increase muscles endurance strength. As a result, the pain intensity reduces in people with ICLBP.