This pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to evaluate the effect of a lumbar spine stabilization exercise program (LSSEP) in healthy adults with a sedentary lifestyle. Thirty-eight healthy Greek adults (mean age 40.53 ± 11.91 years) who had been sedentary for at least six months participated in the study. They were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 18) and a control group (n = 20). The intervention group followed a supervised progressive four-week LSSEP, while the control group received a booklet with ergonomic and stretching instructions (passive control). The primary outcome was the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey version 2 (SF-12v2), which measures quality of life, and secondary outcomes were the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and the Y-Balance test (YBT), assessed before and immediately after the intervention period. A repeated-measures 2 × 2 mixed ANOVA revealed significant time × group interactions in favor of the intervention group for the mental component of quality of life and for functional movement and dynamic balance performance (p < 0.05), with moderate to large effect sizes. The LSSEP appears to improve specific aspects of quality of life and movement performance in healthy sedentary adults, with potentially clinically meaningful benefits observed even within a short four-week period. Confirmation through larger, longer-term trials is warranted.
Korda et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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