Is the novel suspension exercises superior to core stability exercises on some EMG coordinates, pain and range of motion of patients with disk herniation?

Abstract

Information about comparing the effectiveness of exercise methods on management of disk herniation is limited. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of two programs of suspension and core stability exercises on some electromyography (EMG) coordinates, pain and range of motion of patients with disk herniation. Thirty-two men with disk herniation participated in this clinical trial study which was randomly divided into three groups of suspension exercises ( n : 12, age: 34.25 ± 8.81, BMI: 24.01 ± 2.7), core stability exercises ( n : 10, age: 35 ± 10.3, BMI: 25 ± 2.27) and control ( n : 10, age: 34.4 ± 6.67, BMI: 23.76 ± 1.45). Electrical activity of rectus abdominis, internal and external oblique and erector spinae muscles was masured by superficial EMG, back pain by McGill Pain Questionnaire and range of motion by Modified Schober test, one day before and immediately after of intervention period. The experimental groups performed an 8-week training period while the control group was only followed up. Data were analyzed using paired sample t test and analysis of covariance test and statistical significance was set at 0.05. Suspension group showed significant improvement in EMG of rectus abdominis, internal and external oblique muscles (respectively, p = 0.030, p = 0.017, p = 0.022) and pain ( p = 0.001) compared to core stability group; but there was no significant difference between two groups in EMG of erector spinae muscle and range of motion. Changes in both training groups were significant in all variables compared to control groups ( p ˂ 0.05). Our findings showed that although both exercises were effective in patients with lumbar disk herniation, but the effectiveness of suspension exercises in increasing muscle activation and reducing pain was more pronounced than core stability exercises. Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT): IRCT20191016045136N1.

Sustainable effectiveness of kinetic chain stretching on active hip flexion movement and muscle activation for hamstring tightness: A preliminary investigation

“…While a multitude of studies have examined the outcomes of static and traditional stretching methods, the exploration of the impact of core exercises and stretching remains relatively sparse [ 18 , 40 , 41 ]. Our findings are in agreement with those of previous studies [ 42 , 43 , 44 ]. Rad et al documented a considerable increase in hip flexion range of motion (29.3%) following 24 sessions of core stability exercises in non-symptomatic adults, surpassing the changes observed in the non-intervention control [ 44 ].…”

“…Our findings are in agreement with those of previous studies [ 42 , 43 , 44 ]. Rad et al documented a considerable increase in hip flexion range of motion (29.3%) following 24 sessions of core stability exercises in non-symptomatic adults, surpassing the changes observed in the non-intervention control [ 44 ]. Cho et al reported a positive effect of 4-week core exercises on hip AROM and pain in 30 patients with chronic LBP [ 43 ].…”

“…Cho et al reported a positive effect of 4-week core exercises on hip AROM and pain in 30 patients with chronic LBP [ 43 ]. Similarly, core stabilization training using the pilates exercise enhanced lumbar flexion (23.5%) and extension (23.86%) in patients with LBP [ 44 ]. The positive shifts observed in AROM may be intrinsically linked to the establishment of proximal core stability, furnishing a robust foundation for dynamic flexion movements within the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex.…”

Effectiveness of selected Motor Control Retraining Exercises on Chronic Low Back Pain in Male Military Personnel with Lumbar Disc Herniation. A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study assessing the persistence and improvement of symptoms following retraining motor control exercises in patients with lumbar radiculopathy. According to the findings of the present study, conventional exercises improve pain, functional disability, and range of motion in male military personnel with chronic low back pain due to lumbar disc herniation, which is in line with the results of Mohebbi Rad's study (2022) on the effect of core exercises on pain and range of motion in discopathy patients using McGill and modified Shoober's test (38). Kahnzadeh et al evaluated the effect of conventional core exercises on pain in office personnel with discopathy and reported an improvement in VAS, which agrees with our study (32).…”