Core endurance vs segmental stabilization for low back pain in recreational athletes

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a two-arm, randomized trial conducted at a sports club in Istanbul, comparing two exercise programs for adults with non-specific low back pain. Participants are recreational athletes who recently started regular activity and have had at least two prior low back pain episodes. One group performs core endurance exercises (front, side, and Superman planks) under supervision, while the other performs segmental stabilization exercises targeting the transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus. Each program runs three days per week for six weeks, with 20 repetitions and a 15-second hold per exercise. The study uses simple random allocation (1:1) among eligible participants and excludes individuals with serious spinal pathology or recent injuries from participation.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 18 years or older
* Recreational athlete who has recently begun regular physical activity
* Diagnosis of non-specific low back pain confirmed by an orthopaedic specialist
* Two or more episodes of low back pain within the past year
* Not participating in any other treatment program during the study period

Exclusion Criteria:

* Radicular (nerve root) signs
* Underlying systemic or visceral disease
* Diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis
* Spinal pathology such as spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis
* Previous lumbar spine surgery
* History of vestibular dysfunction
* Lower extremity injury within the past month
* History of traumatic concussion within the past three months

Where it's running

• Fitness club gym
  Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye) Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: ömer şevgin
• Email: omer.sevgin@uskudar.edu.tr
• Phone: +905069787535

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• A novel multi angular isometric lumbar exercise for chronic low back pain

  This trial tests MAILE, a new lumbar exercise method, to see if it helps adults with nonspecific chronic low back pain more than standard lumbar stabilization and core exercises.

  Recruiting Hamad Medical Corporation · Doha · NCT07908693

• Pain catastrophizing, fear of movement, and activity in postmenopausal women with chronic low back pain

  This observational study looks at how negative pain thoughts and fear of moving relate to how active postmenopausal women with long‑standing low back pain are.

  Recruiting Istanbul Medipol University Hospital · Istanbul, Istanbul · NCT07856498

• Analgesia boost from adding a sacral submultifidus block to SIJ injection

  This study tests whether adding a sacral submultifidus block to a standard image-guided sacroiliac joint injection provides better pain relief and function for adults with chronic SIJ‑related pain.

  Recruiting Fayoum University Hospital · Al Fayyum · NCT07814729

• Telerehabilitation after spine surgery

  This trial tests different ways of delivering post-operative instructions to people who had spinal decompression surgery to see how it affects recovery and healthcare use.

  Recruiting Kuopio University Hospital · Kuopio · NCT07795697

• How patient education helps people with chronic musculoskeletal pain stick to home exercise for pain relief

  A structured patient education program is tested to see if it helps people with chronic low back pain, knee osteoarthritis, and shoulder problems stick with their home exercise plan to relieve pain.

  Recruiting Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University · Dammam, Eastern Province · NCT07764354

• AI-driven rehabilitation vs traditional physical therapy for low back dysfunction

  This study tests whether an artificial intelligence–driven rehab program can improve pain, function, and quality of life more than standard physical therapy in adults with long-standing low back dysfunction.

  Recruiting Cairo University · Giza, Giza Governorate · NCT07749833

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.