Background Core stabilization exercises have a theoretical basis and are used in the treatment of low back pain. But the effects of core stability exercises performed in water are unknown.

Objectives To determine and compare the effects of Core stability exercise programs performed in different environments in low back pain (LBP) patients.

Methods Twenty-three patients (47.78±13.20 years) and fifteen age-sex matched healthy controls (46.67±13.69) were included to the study. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups as Core Stabilization (CS) or Water Specific Therapy (WST). Both groups underwent 8-weeks (3 times a week) core stabilization exercises in different environments. The assessments for pain, static endurance of trunk muscles, functional status and quality of life were performed before and after the treatment.

Results Level of static endurance of trunk muscles was found lower in the patients compared to the controls at baseline (p<0.05). Both groups showed significant improvements in all outcomes (p<0.05) after 8-weeks intervention. When two groups were compared, no differences were found in the amount of change after the intervention (p>0.05). After the treatment static endurance of trunk muscles of LBP patients became similar to controls (p>0.05).

Conclusions According to these results, core stabilization exercisetrainings performed on land or in water both could be beneficial in LBP patients and there is no difference between environments.

1. Hayden JA, van Tulder MW, MalmivaaraA et al. Exercise therapy for treatment of non-specific low back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2005 Jul 20;(3):CD000335.

2. Waller B, Lambeck J, Daly D. Therapeutic aquatic exercise in the treatment of low back pain: a systematic review. ClinRehabil 2009 Jan;23(1): 3-14.

3. Barr KP, Griggs M, Cadby T. Lumbar stabilization: core concepts and current literature, Part 1. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2005 Jun;84(6):473-80.

Disclosure of Interest None Declared