The Effects of Resistivity and Stability-Combined Exercise for Lumbar Muscles on Strength, Cross-Sectional Area and Balance Ability: Exercises for Prevention of Lower Back Pain

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a resistance and stabilization complex exercise on the strength and cross-sectional area of lumbar muscles of typical adults in their twenties. [Subjects and Methods] For this study, 14 male adults in their twenties were chosen and randomly assigned to either the resistance exercise group (REG, n=7) or the resistance and stabilization exercise group (RSEG, n=7). They then exercised for 50 minutes three times a week for 8 weeks. [Methods] Pegasus was used to measure the strength of the lumbar muscles of the normal adults and computed tomography (CT) images were taken and compared to examine the changing cross-sectional areas of the lumbar muscles. [Results] Both groups showed a significant increase in the strength of their lumbar muscles. For the cross-sectional area of the lumbar muscles, only the superficial stabilizer muscle of the REG group showed a significant increase, whereas both the superficial stabilizer and the deep stabilizer muscles of the RSEG group showed a significant increase. [Conclusion] The resistance and stabilization complex exercise for the lumbar muscles had positive effects on both the strength of the lumbar muscles as well as on the cross-sectional areas of the superficial stabilizer and deep stabilizer muscles. Therefore, resistance and stabilization complex exercise appears to be an effective exercise program for the prevention of lower back pain.