Comparing the Effect of 8 Weeks of Suspension Training and Core Stability on the Onset of Electromyography Activity of Selected Muscles and the Pain in Amateur Soccer Players With Non-specific Chronic Low Back Pain

Abstract

Purpose: Back pain is one of the most common injuries that affects many people worldwide. Core stability exercises are among the training methods for treating back pain. Suspension training with TRX (total body resistance exercise) has recently become popular among athletes and coaches. The present study aims to compare the effect of common core stability exercises with suspension exercises using TRX in amateur male soccer players with non-specific chronic back pain. Methods: The current research is a clinical trial study. The study population comprised amateur male soccer players with non-specific chronic back pain. Of whom, 30 were selected as a sample using Cochran’s formula and according to the inclusion criteria. Then, they were randomly divided into two equal groups of suspension exercises on the unstable level (15 people) and core stability on the stable level (15 people). The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to obtain the pain intensity, and the surface electromyography device and force plate were used to check the activity start time. first, the pre-test evaluations were done in the Mofaghian Neurorehabilitation Laboratory, and then the subjects performed the study exercises for 8 weeks. Moreover, after 8 weeks of training, the post-test was performed. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze anthropometric characteristics, the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality of data, covariance, and the Mann-Whitney tests to compare the results between two groups at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The results of the covariance analysis test showed a significant difference in the start time of the electromyography of the muscles between the two groups of suspension exercises and common core stability exercises after 8 weeks of exercises (rectus abdominis, P=0.01; multifidus, P=0.001; transverse abdominis, P=0.001, and external oblique, P=0.001). Also, the results of the Mann-Whitney U test for comparing the pain intensity between the two groups showed a significant difference (P=0.02). Conclusion: Considering the greater effectiveness of suspension exercises compared to common core stability exercises and the existing reports that suspension exercises have a low risk of injury in connection with unnecessary high loads, the use of these exercises in people with low back pain is recommended than using a stable surface.