The Effect and Durability of Six weeks Core Stability Exercises on Balance and Lumbo-Pelvic ‎Function in Women with Core Muscles Weakness

Core Stability is an important prerequisite to perform sports skills and all activities such as walking, climbing stairs and balance. Therefore, the aim of this study was the effect and durability of six weeks core stability exercises on balance and lumbo-pelvic function in women with core muscles weakness. This study was semi-experimental with a pre-test, post-test and follow-up design. A number of 30 active women of Mahabad city were selected purposive and available from the statistical population and were randomly divided into two groups of 15 subjects, control and experimental. To evaluate static balance, dynamic balance, lumbo-pelvic function and endurance of trunk muscles, respectively Stork, Y Balance, FSD) Forward Step-Down and McGill tests are used. After the pre-test, the experimental group performed the exercises for 6 weeks and three sessions per week, and the control group continued their daily activities. Then, both groups participated in the post-test, and one month after the exercises, variables of study were followed up. Repeated measured ANOVA at a significance level of 0.05 was used to compare the data.The results in the training group showed that core stability exercises had a significant effect on the variables of static balance (p=0.001), dynamic balance (p=0.001), lumbo-pelvic function (p=0.001) and trunk endurance (p=0.001). However, the effects of training after one month without training were durable only for the variable of lumbo-pelvic function (p=0.73). The results of the Bonferroni post hoc test in the post-test also showed that there was a significant difference between the two groups in all the variables studied and that the training group performed better (p < 0.05). In the follow-up phase, there was a difference between the two groups only in the variables of lumbo-pelvic function (p=0.001) and trunk endurance (p=0.001).According to the results of the study, core stability exercises improved static and dynamic balance, lumbar-pelvic function and trunk endurance of middle-aged women. Therefore, trainers and therapists are suggested to use core stability exercises as an effective training protocol in their programs.