Low Back PainNCT07760103
Core Endurance Versus Segmental Stabilization Exercise in Recreational Athletes With Low Back Pain
A study testing Core endurance exercise program and Segmental stabilization exercise program in people with Low Back Pain and Athletic Injuries, run by Uskudar University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint among athletes, and most cases are classified as non-specific low back pain, in which no clear anatomical or pathological source of pain can be identified. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Low Back Pain, Athletic Injuries
- What is being tested?
- Core endurance exercise program and Segmental stabilization exercise program
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 15 Aug 2026to 30 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 45 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- 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
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Fitness club gym
Istanbul
Armita Chitsaz, +905456052365
About this study
Official title: Comparison of the Effects of Core Endurance Exercises and Segmental Stabilization Exercises on Low Back Pain and Core Endurance in Recreational Athletes With Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Trial
Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint among athletes, and most cases are classified as non-specific low back pain, in which no clear anatomical or pathological source of pain can be identified. Recreational athletes, who exercise regularly for health and fitness rather than for competition, often have less structured training planning and technical supervision than professional athletes, which may increase their susceptibility to musculoskeletal complaints. Core stability has become an important consideration in the prevention and management of low back pain. The core region includes the abdominal muscles, paraspinal muscles, diaphragm, and pelvic floor muscles, and plays an important role in maintaining spinal stability. Reduced activation and endurance of these muscles may increase the load on the lumbar spine and contribute to the development of low back pain. This randomized trial compares two exercise approaches in recreational athletes with non-specific low back pain: a core endurance exercise program and a segmental stabilization exercise program targeting the transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus. Participants are randomly assigned to one of the two programs, both delivered three days per week for six weeks under physiotherapist supervision. Pain and functional status, dynamic balance, and core muscle endurance are assessed before the program and at the end of the six-week program.
Read the detailed description
Design and setting This is a two-arm, parallel-group randomized trial conducted at a sports club facility.
Institutional permission for the study site has been obtained. Participants Recreational athletes who have recently begun regular physical activity and who report non-specific low back pain are enrolled. Participants provide written informed consent after receiving detailed information about the purpose of the study, the tests to be performed, and the exercise protocol. Sampling and randomization Convenience sampling is used to identify eligible participants, followed by simple random allocation to one of the two exercise groups: the core endurance exercise group or the segmental stabilization exercise group. Allocation is 1:1. Interventions Both exercise programs are delivered three days per week for six weeks. Segmental stabilization group: exercises target the transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus and comprise stabilization exercises in the quadruped position, transversus abdominis activation exercises in the supine position with the knees flexed, lumbar multifidus activation exercises in the prone position, and standing postural control exercises involving co-activation of the transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus.
Core endurance group: exercises are performed under the supervision of a certified physiotherapist and comprise the front plank, the side plank, and the superman plank.
Each exercise consists of 20 repetitions with a 15-second isometric hold per repetition.
The set is repeated twice, with a 3-minute rest between sets. In the front plank the participant is supported on the forearms and toes, with the shoulders aligned over the elbows and the trunk and lower limbs maintained in a straight line, producing simultaneous activation of the abdominal and paraspinal muscles. In the side plank the participant is supported on one forearm with the body held in a straight line, the shoulder aligned with the elbow and the pelvis lifted from the floor, targeting the oblique muscles. In the superman plank the participant lies prone with the arms extended overhead and simultaneously lifts the upper and lower limbs from the floor, producing trunk extension and targeting the lumbar extensor muscles. Outcome assessment Assessments are performed at baseline (week 0) and at the end of the six-week program (week 6). Demographic information including age, sex, and sports history is recorded.
Functional status and pain are assessed with the Micheli Functional Scale, dynamic balance with the Star Excursion Balance Test, and core muscle endurance with clinical endurance tests. Variables The independent variable is the type of exercise program (core endurance exercises versus segmental stabilization exercises). The dependent variables are pain level, core muscle endurance, and dynamic balance performance. Statistical analysis Normality of distribution is assessed with histogram curves and the Shapiro-Wilk test, and homogeneity of variance with the Levene test. Parametric or non-parametric tests are selected accordingly. Analyses are performed with IBM SPSS Statistics 20. Independent samples t-tests are used to compare demographic characteristics between groups. Multivariate analysis of variance is used to evaluate between-group and within-group changes, with time (baseline and post-intervention measurements) as the within-subject factor and group as the between-subject factor. Where a statistically significant difference is found, post-hoc analyses are performed with the Tukey test. Change scores between groups are also compared with independent samples t-tests.
- Conditions
- Low Back Pain, Athletic Injuries
- Being tested
- Core endurance exercise program, Segmental stabilization exercise program
- Keywords
- core endurance
- Medical subject headings
- Low Back Pain, Athletic Injuries
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Core endurance exercise programOther
Supervised isometric core endurance training comprising the front plank, side plank, and superman plank.
Each exercise: 20 repetitions of a 15-second isometric hold, two sets, 3-minute rest between sets. Three sessions per week for six weeks.
Segmental stabilization exercise programOther
Supervised motor-control training targeting the transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus, comprising quadruped stabilization, supine transversus abdominis activation with knees flexed, prone lumbar multifidus activation, and standing postural control with co-activation of both muscles. Three sessions per week for six weeks.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Core endurance exercise | Experimental | Participants perform a core endurance exercise program consisting of the front plank, the side plank, and the superman plank, three days per week for six weeks under physiotherapist supervision. Each exercise consists of 20 repetitions with a 15-second isometric hold, repeated for two sets with a 3-minute rest between sets. Receives: Other: Core endurance exercise program; Other: Segmental stabilization exercise program |
| Segmental stabilization exercise | Active comparator | Participants perform a segmental stabilization exercise program targeting the transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus, three days per week for six weeks under physiotherapist supervision. The program comprises quadruped stabilization exercises, supine transversus abdominis activation with the knees flexed, prone lumbar multifidus activation, and standing postural control exercises involving co-activation of both muscles. Receives: Other: Core endurance exercise program |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in low back pain and functional status (Micheli Functional Scale)
The Micheli Functional Scale is a five-item scale developed to assess low back pain related functional impairment and pain related changes in performance in athletes. It comprises one symptom question, three activity questions (extension, flexion, and jumping), and a visual analogue scale section. The symptom question is scored from 0 to 5; the activity questions are scored from 0 to 4 for extension, from 0 to 3 for flexion, and from 0 to 3 for jumping. The visual analogue scale section provides a 10-point assessment on a 10 cm line. The total score is calculated out of 25 and multiplied by 4 to produce a standardized score from 0 to 100. Lower scores indicate better functional status and higher scores indicate greater functional impairment.
Measured: Baseline (week 0) and at the end of the six-week exercise program (week 6)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted12 Aug 2026
- Study start15 Aug 2026
- Primary completion1 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (5)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Low Back PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Uskudar University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Doç.Dr.Ömer Şevgin, Uskudar University
- Investigators
- Armita Chitsaz, Study chair, Üsküdar University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07760103
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Uskudar27
- Other IDs
- Uskudar University
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 7 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 18 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be made publicly available. De-identified data supporting the findings may be made available from the corresponding author on reasonable request, subject to institutional approval.
Publications
Dal Farra F, Arippa F, Carta G, Segreto M, Porcu E, Monticone M. Sport and non-specific low back pain in athletes: a scoping review. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2022 Dec 23;14(1):216. doi: 10.1186/s13102-022-00609-9.
PubMed 36564816Mortazavi J, Zebardast J, Mirzashahi B. Low Back Pain in Athletes. Asian J Sports Med. 2015 Jun;6(2):e24718. doi: 10.5812/asjsm.6(2)2015.24718. Epub 2015 Jun 20.
PubMed 26448841Frizziero A, Pellizzon G, Vittadini F, Bigliardi D, Costantino C. Efficacy of Core Stability in Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2021 Apr 22;6(2):37. doi: 10.3390/jfmk6020037.
PubMed 33922389Franca FR, Burke TN, Hanada ES, Marques AP. Segmental stabilization and muscular strengthening in chronic low back pain: a comparative study. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2010;65(10):1013-7. doi: 10.1590/s1807-59322010001000015.
PubMed 21120303Blanco-Gimenez P, Vicente-Mampel J, Gargallo P, Maroto-Izquierdo S, Martin-Ruiz J, Jaenada-Carrilero E, Barrios C. Effect of exercise and manual therapy or kinesiotaping on sEMG and pain perception in chronic low back pain: a randomized trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2024 Jul 25;25(1):583. doi: 10.1186/s12891-024-07667-9.
PubMed 39054514
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 18 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparison of the Effects of Core Endurance Exercises and Segmental Stabilization Exercises on Low Back Pain and Core Endurance in Recreational Athletes With Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07760103
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Uskudar27
- Conditions
- Low Back Pain, Athletic Injuries
- Keywords
- core endurance
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Uskudar UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 12 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint among athletes, and most cases are classified as non-specific low back pain, in which no clear anatomical or pathological source of pain can be identified. Recreational athletes, who exercise regularly for health and fitness rather than for competition, often have less structured training planning and technical supervision than professional athletes, which may increase their susceptibility to musculoskeletal complaints. Core stability has become an important consideration in the prevention and management of low back pain. The core region includes the abdominal muscles, paraspinal muscles, diaphragm, and pelvic floor muscles, and plays an important role in maintaining spinal stability. Reduced activation and endurance of these muscles may increase the load on the lumbar spine and contribute to the development of low back pain. This randomized trial compares two exercise approaches in recreational athletes with non-specific low back pain: a core endurance exercise program and a segmental stabilization exercise program targeting the transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus. Participants are randomly assigned to one of the two programs, both delivered three days per week for six weeks under physiotherapist supervision. Pain and functional status, dynamic balance, and core muscle endurance are assessed before the program and at the end of the six-week program.
Detailed description
Design and setting This is a two-arm, parallel-group randomized trial conducted at a sports club facility.
Institutional permission for the study site has been obtained. Participants Recreational athletes who have recently begun regular physical activity and who report non-specific low back pain are enrolled. Participants provide written informed consent after receiving detailed information about the purpose of the study, the tests to be performed, and the exercise protocol. Sampling and randomization Convenience sampling is used to identify eligible participants, followed by simple random allocation to one of the two exercise groups: the core endurance exercise group or the segmental stabilization exercise group. Allocation is 1:1. Interventions Both exercise programs are delivered three days per week for six weeks. Segmental stabilization group: exercises target the transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus and comprise stabilization exercises in the quadruped position, transversus abdominis activation exercises in the supine position with the knees flexed, lumbar multifidus activation exercises in the prone position, and standing postural control exercises involving co-activation of the transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus.
Core endurance group: exercises are performed under the supervision of a certified physiotherapist and comprise the front plank, the side plank, and the superman plank.
Each exercise consists of 20 repetitions with a 15-second isometric hold per repetition.
The set is repeated twice, with a 3-minute rest between sets. In the front plank the participant is supported on the forearms and toes, with the shoulders aligned over the elbows and the trunk and lower limbs maintained in a straight line, producing simultaneous activation of the abdominal and paraspinal muscles. In the side plank the participant is supported on one forearm with the body held in a straight line, the shoulder aligned with the elbow and the pelvis lifted from the floor, targeting the oblique muscles. In the superman plank the participant lies prone with the arms extended overhead and simultaneously lifts the upper and lower limbs from the floor, producing trunk extension and targeting the lumbar extensor muscles. Outcome assessment Assessments are performed at baseline (week 0) and at the end of the six-week program (week 6). Demographic information including age, sex, and sports history is recorded.
Functional status and pain are assessed with the Micheli Functional Scale, dynamic balance with the Star Excursion Balance Test, and core muscle endurance with clinical endurance tests. Variables The independent variable is the type of exercise program (core endurance exercises versus segmental stabilization exercises). The dependent variables are pain level, core muscle endurance, and dynamic balance performance. Statistical analysis Normality of distribution is assessed with histogram curves and the Shapiro-Wilk test, and homogeneity of variance with the Levene test. Parametric or non-parametric tests are selected accordingly. Analyses are performed with IBM SPSS Statistics 20. Independent samples t-tests are used to compare demographic characteristics between groups. Multivariate analysis of variance is used to evaluate between-group and within-group changes, with time (baseline and post-intervention measurements) as the within-subject factor and group as the between-subject factor. Where a statistically significant difference is found, post-hoc analyses are performed with the Tukey test. Change scores between groups are also compared with independent samples t-tests.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Core endurance exercise | Experimental | Other: Core endurance exercise program, Other: Segmental stabilization exercise programParticipants perform a core endurance exercise program consisting of the front plank, the side plank, and the superman plank, three days per week for six weeks under physiotherapist supervision. Each exercise consists of 20 repetitions with a 15-second isometric hold, repeated for two sets with a 3-minute rest between sets. |
| Segmental stabilization exercise | Active comparator | Other: Core endurance exercise programParticipants perform a segmental stabilization exercise program targeting the transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus, three days per week for six weeks under physiotherapist supervision. The program comprises quadruped stabilization exercises, supine transversus abdominis activation with the knees flexed, prone lumbar multifidus activation, and standing postural control exercises involving co-activation of both muscles. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Radicular (nerve root) signs
- Underlying systemic or visceral disease
- Diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis
- Spinal pathology such as spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis
- Previous lumbar spine surgery
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Core endurance exercise programSupervised isometric core endurance training comprising the front plank, side plank, and superman plank. Each exercise: 20 repetitions of a 15-second isometric hold, two sets, 3-minute rest between sets. Three sessions per week for six weeks. | Other | Core endurance exercise, Segmental stabilization exercise |
| Segmental stabilization exercise programSupervised motor-control training targeting the transversus abdominis and lumbar multifidus, comprising quadruped stabilization, supine transversus abdominis activation with knees flexed, prone lumbar multifidus activation, and standing postural control with co-activation of both muscles. Three sessions per week for six weeks. | Other | Core endurance exercise |
Primary outcome
Change in low back pain and functional status (Micheli Functional Scale)
Time frame: Baseline (week 0) and at the end of the six-week exercise program (week 6)
The Micheli Functional Scale is a five-item scale developed to assess low back pain related functional impairment and pain related changes in performance in athletes. It comprises one symptom question, three activity questions (extension, flexion, and jumping), and a visual analogue scale section. The symptom question is scored from 0 to 5; the activity questions are scored from 0 to 4 for extension, from 0 to 3 for flexion, and from 0 to 3 for jumping. The visual analogue scale section provides a 10-point assessment on a 10 cm line. The total score is calculated out of 25 and multiplied by 4 to produce a standardized score from 0 to 100. Lower scores indicate better functional status and higher scores indicate greater functional impairment.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 18 Aug 2026.
- Background: PubMed 36564816Dal Farra F, Arippa F, Carta G, Segreto M, Porcu E, Monticone M. Sport and non-specific low back pain in athletes: a scoping review. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2022 Dec 23;14(1):216. doi: 10.1186/s13102-022-00609-9.
- Background: PubMed 26448841Mortazavi J, Zebardast J, Mirzashahi B. Low Back Pain in Athletes. Asian J Sports Med. 2015 Jun;6(2):e24718. doi: 10.5812/asjsm.6(2)2015.24718. Epub 2015 Jun 20.
- Background: PubMed 33922389Frizziero A, Pellizzon G, Vittadini F, Bigliardi D, Costantino C. Efficacy of Core Stability in Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2021 Apr 22;6(2):37. doi: 10.3390/jfmk6020037.
- Background: PubMed 21120303Franca FR, Burke TN, Hanada ES, Marques AP. Segmental stabilization and muscular strengthening in chronic low back pain: a comparative study. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2010;65(10):1013-7. doi: 10.1590/s1807-59322010001000015.
- Background: PubMed 39054514Blanco-Gimenez P, Vicente-Mampel J, Gargallo P, Maroto-Izquierdo S, Martin-Ruiz J, Jaenada-Carrilero E, Barrios C. Effect of exercise and manual therapy or kinesiotaping on sEMG and pain perception in chronic low back pain: a randomized trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2024 Jul 25;25(1):583. doi: 10.1186/s12891-024-07667-9.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be made publicly available. De-identified data supporting the findings may be made available from the corresponding author on reasonable request, subject to institutional approval.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Armita Chitsaz study chair
Üsküdar University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Core endurance exercise program and Segmental stabilization exercise program in people with Low Back Pain and Athletic Injuries, run by Uskudar University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact ömer şevgin (+905069787535, omer.sevgin@uskudar.edu.tr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in low back pain and functional status (Micheli Functional Scale) (time frame: Baseline (week 0) and at the end of the six-week exercise program (week 6)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07760103, which also lists 5 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Aug 2026.