Effects of a Core Strengthening Program on Muscle Activity Patterns, Strength, and Endurance in People with and without a History of Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background of Study: Altered patterns abdominal and low back muscle activity have been reported in people the sub-acute phase injury. Specifically, higher overall less ability to match task demands found. Objective: This study determined if an 8-week group exercise intervention would alter activity, strength, endurance with/without a history pain (LBP). Method: In this randomized controlled trial 46 participants (age 19-55) with LBP were (LBPEx, n=24) no-exercise (LBPCon, n=22) groups. 27 without (NoLBP) also exercised. 17 LBPEx 19 NoLBP completed intervention. LBPCon tested at follow-up. The was 8-week, choreographed, 30-minute (Les Mills CoreTM) focused on building core stability, endurance. Pre post-intervention surface electromyograms from muscles recorded during trunk stability (TST), analyzed using Principal Component Analysis extract corresponding amplitude relative activation TST loading phase. Abdominal extensor strength measured. Results: It found that decreased for left anterior external oblique (p=0.019 level 3), lateral (p=0.012 right posterior (p=0.035 3) (p=0.009 2 p=0.004 (p=0.014 p=0.011 TST. endurance, increased (p0.05). Back Relative upper rectus abdominus (p=0.05), (p=0.002), (p=0.006) NoLBP, (p=0.042) LBPEx. Conclusion: Les CoreTM is readily available may be recommended as safe, accessible, effective increase even LBP.