Back Problems: Pros and Cons of Core Strengthening Exercises as a Part of Athlete Training

Abstract

While competitive training is usually associated with the prevalence of back pain and injuries in athletes, little attention is being paid to the positive effects of sport-specific exercises on core musculature in the prevention of back problems. This scoping review aims (i) to map the literature that addresses the effects on reduction of back problems following athlete training with differing demands on the core musculature and (ii) to identify gaps in the existing literature and propose future research on this topic. The main literature search was conducted on the MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases and was completed on Elsevier, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. A total of 21 research articles met the inclusion criteria. The findings of 17 studies identified that core strengthening and core stabilization exercises, alone or in combination with athlete training, contribute to the reduction of back pain in athletes, whereas only four studies revealed no significant association of core muscle strength and/or endurance with back problems. Nevertheless, more research is warranted to elucidate the pros and cons of purely sport-specific training with differing demands on the core musculature on back health in athletes. This could help us to design prevention strategies specifically tailored to individual athletes.

Obesity Status and Physical Fitness Levels in Male and Female Portuguese Adolescents: A Two-Way Multivariate Analysis

“…The findings of this study support this information because although boys had higher abdominal resistance on average, both groups had considerable numbers of participants classified as non-fit (boys: 27%; girls: 22%). Continuous sports practice can improve abdominal resistance, which can lead to core stability and better spinal positioning, resulting in a reduction in low back pain—an important factor for well-being and quality of life [ 38 ]. Additionally, maintaining core strength can help individuals to have better control over their body for everyday activities such as lifting and carrying, and can also facilitate participation in school sports [ 39 ].…”

The Effect of Cranio-Cervical Position on Core Muscle Activation during the Prone Plank Exercise

“…One of the main goals of any core strengthening and stabilisation programme should be the enhancement of this active muscular stiffness, aiming to improve the mechanical stabilisation of the trunk [1]. Although research has extensively quantified the effects of different types of core stabilisation exercises, it is still a challenge for fitness professionals, therapists, or athletes to properly know which exercises or which specific variation will best meet their specific requirements [18,19]. Abdominal bridging exercises are effective strategies to retrain or strengthen the trunk muscles into the therapy or training processes by decreasing lower back disorders, preventing lower limb injuries, or improving athletic performance [1,5,[20][21][22][23][24][25].…”

Procjena stabilnosti trupa i snage za sportsku izvedbu i zdravlje

“…Core strengthening and core stabilization exercises have become a part of athletic training, as well as prevention and rehabilitation programs [1][2][3][4] . However, there is limited and conflicting scientific evidence about their effectiveness 3 .…”