Comparison of Lumbar Stabilization Exercise and Flexibility Exercise on Lumbal Flexibility in Chronic Mechanical Lower Back Pain (Study on Online Motorcycle Drivers)

Background : Flexibility plays an important role in increasing a person's capacity to perform daily activities. Decreased lumbar spine flexibility is both a will cause and a consequence of low back pain. Lumbar stabilization exercise and flexibility exercise are options that can be given for chronic mechanical low back pain. Objective: This study was knew the difference in the effect of lumbar stabilization exercise compared to flexibility exercise on lumbar flexibility in online motorcycle drivers with chronic mechanical low back pain. Methods: 26 subjects who fullfill the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly divided into the lumbar stabilization exercise group (n=13) and the flexibility exercise group (n=13). Each group was exercised five times a week for six weeks at home. Measurement of lumbar flexibility was performed using the modified-modified schober test and sit and reach test at baseline before the intervention and 6 weeks after the intervention. Results: Comparison of the delta value of the modified-modified schober test (p = 0.029) and the delta value of the sit and reach test (p = 0.025) between groups were showed significant differences in the lumbar stabilization exercise group compared to the flexibility exercise group. Conclusion: Giving the intervention of lumbar stabilization exercise and flexibility exercise were increased lumbar flexibility. However, the lumbar stabilization exercise intervention was a better on increasing lumbar flexibility than flexibility exercise for online motorcycle drivers with chronic mechanical low back pain.