Article

There is a controversy regarding whether core stability exercise
(CSE) is more effective than general exercise (GE) for chronic LBP. To compare
different exercises regarding their effect on improving back strength and
stability, performance of abdominal muscles is a useful index. Ultrasound imaging
for measuring muscle thickness could be used to assess muscle performance.
The aim of this study was to compare CSE and GE in chronic LBP using
ultrasound imaging for measurement of thickness of the deep stabilizing and main
global trunk muscles in non-specific chronic LBP. METHODS: Each program included
16 training sessions three times a week. Using ultrasound imaging, four
transabdominal muscle thickness were measured before and after the intervention.
Disability and pain were measured as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: After the
intervention on participants (n = 43), a significant increase in muscle thickness
(hypertrophy) was seen only in right and left rectus abdominis in the GE group,
but significant difference to the CSE group was only on the right side.
Disability and pain reduced within the groups without a significant difference in
the change between them. CONCLUSIONS: The present results provided evidence that
only GE increased right and left rectus muscle thickness. The only significant
difference between CSE and GE groups was the right rectus thickness. As rectus is
a global muscle, the effect of GE on strength improvement (one side stronger than
the other) may have a negative effect on motor control of lumbopelvic muscles and
possibly increase the risk of back pain occurring or becoming worse, though this
was not observed in the present study.

Langue : ANGLAIS