Effects of aerobic exercise in addition to core stabilization exercises on functional capacity, physical performance and fall risk in geriatric individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain

Abstract Background Geriatric individuals may frequently develop low back pain after physiological changes. The aim of our study was to compare the effects of core stabilization exercises alone and aerobic exercises in addition to core stabilization exercises on functional capacity, physical perform...

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Main Authors: Şafak Kuzu, Mehmet Canli, İrem Valamur, Anıl Özüdoğru, Halil Alkan, Abdulmetin Hartavi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01271-7
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author Şafak Kuzu
Mehmet Canli
İrem Valamur
Anıl Özüdoğru
Halil Alkan
Abdulmetin Hartavi
author_facet Şafak Kuzu
Mehmet Canli
İrem Valamur
Anıl Özüdoğru
Halil Alkan
Abdulmetin Hartavi
author_sort Şafak Kuzu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Geriatric individuals may frequently develop low back pain after physiological changes. The aim of our study was to compare the effects of core stabilization exercises alone and aerobic exercises in addition to core stabilization exercises on functional capacity, physical performance and fall risk in geriatric individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP). Methods In this randomized controlled study, 30 participants in the core stabilization exercise group (CG) received intervention, and the mean age of this group was 70.43 ± 4.48 years. The mean age of the 30 participants in the core stabilization + aerobic exercise group (CAG) was determined as 69.60 ± 4.05 years. Sixty individuals with CNLBP were included in the study and divided into two groups: CG (n = 30) and CAG (n = 30). CG received core stabilization exercises for 8 weeks, while CAG received aerobic exercise using a treadmill in addition to core stabilization exercises for 8 weeks. Functional capacity (six-minute walk test), physical performance (Oswestry Disability Index), fall risk (Biodex Balance System), pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale), depression status (Beck Depression Inventory) and kinesiophobia level (Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale) were evaluated before and after the treatment programmes. Results Significant improvements were found in all parameters in both groups after the treatment programmes (p < 0.05). In addition, functional capacity, physical performance, fall risk, pain severity and depression scores improved more in CAG compared to CG (p < 0.05), but the improvement in kinesiophobia was similar (p > 0.05). Conclusions The results of the study showed that both core stabilization exercises alone and core stabilization exercises combined with aerobic exercise led to improvements in patients with CNLBP. However, the group that combined aerobic and core stabilization exercises (CAG) showed greater improvements, particularly in functional capacity, physical performance, fall risk, pain intensity, and depression levels. These findings suggest that core stabilization exercises are beneficial for CNLBP, but adding aerobic exercise may enhance these positive effects. Therefore, incorporating aerobic exercise into rehabilitation programmes for older adults with CNLBP may provide additional clinical benefits. Trial registration This clinical trial was registered at http://clinicaltrials.gov (Number: NCT06946758; registration date: 21/04/2025).
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spelling doaj-art-102574af300f4dff80337ed36aac9b232025-08-20T03:46:11ZengBMCBMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation2052-18472025-07-0117111110.1186/s13102-025-01271-7Effects of aerobic exercise in addition to core stabilization exercises on functional capacity, physical performance and fall risk in geriatric individuals with chronic non-specific low back painŞafak Kuzu0Mehmet Canli1İrem Valamur2Anıl Özüdoğru3Halil Alkan4Abdulmetin Hartavi5School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Kırşehir Ahi Evran UniversitySchool of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Kırşehir Ahi Evran UniversitySchool of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Kırşehir Ahi Evran UniversitySchool of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Kırşehir Ahi Evran UniversityFaculty of Health Science, Deparment of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Muş Alparslan UniversityDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kilis Prof. Dr. Alaattin Yavaşça State HospitalAbstract Background Geriatric individuals may frequently develop low back pain after physiological changes. The aim of our study was to compare the effects of core stabilization exercises alone and aerobic exercises in addition to core stabilization exercises on functional capacity, physical performance and fall risk in geriatric individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP). Methods In this randomized controlled study, 30 participants in the core stabilization exercise group (CG) received intervention, and the mean age of this group was 70.43 ± 4.48 years. The mean age of the 30 participants in the core stabilization + aerobic exercise group (CAG) was determined as 69.60 ± 4.05 years. Sixty individuals with CNLBP were included in the study and divided into two groups: CG (n = 30) and CAG (n = 30). CG received core stabilization exercises for 8 weeks, while CAG received aerobic exercise using a treadmill in addition to core stabilization exercises for 8 weeks. Functional capacity (six-minute walk test), physical performance (Oswestry Disability Index), fall risk (Biodex Balance System), pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale), depression status (Beck Depression Inventory) and kinesiophobia level (Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale) were evaluated before and after the treatment programmes. Results Significant improvements were found in all parameters in both groups after the treatment programmes (p < 0.05). In addition, functional capacity, physical performance, fall risk, pain severity and depression scores improved more in CAG compared to CG (p < 0.05), but the improvement in kinesiophobia was similar (p > 0.05). Conclusions The results of the study showed that both core stabilization exercises alone and core stabilization exercises combined with aerobic exercise led to improvements in patients with CNLBP. However, the group that combined aerobic and core stabilization exercises (CAG) showed greater improvements, particularly in functional capacity, physical performance, fall risk, pain intensity, and depression levels. These findings suggest that core stabilization exercises are beneficial for CNLBP, but adding aerobic exercise may enhance these positive effects. Therefore, incorporating aerobic exercise into rehabilitation programmes for older adults with CNLBP may provide additional clinical benefits. Trial registration This clinical trial was registered at http://clinicaltrials.gov (Number: NCT06946758; registration date: 21/04/2025).https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01271-7GeriatricLow back painFunctional capacityPhysical performanceFalls
spellingShingle Şafak Kuzu
Mehmet Canli
İrem Valamur
Anıl Özüdoğru
Halil Alkan
Abdulmetin Hartavi
Effects of aerobic exercise in addition to core stabilization exercises on functional capacity, physical performance and fall risk in geriatric individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain
BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
Geriatric
Low back pain
Functional capacity
Physical performance
Falls
title Effects of aerobic exercise in addition to core stabilization exercises on functional capacity, physical performance and fall risk in geriatric individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain
title_full Effects of aerobic exercise in addition to core stabilization exercises on functional capacity, physical performance and fall risk in geriatric individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain
title_fullStr Effects of aerobic exercise in addition to core stabilization exercises on functional capacity, physical performance and fall risk in geriatric individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain
title_full_unstemmed Effects of aerobic exercise in addition to core stabilization exercises on functional capacity, physical performance and fall risk in geriatric individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain
title_short Effects of aerobic exercise in addition to core stabilization exercises on functional capacity, physical performance and fall risk in geriatric individuals with chronic non-specific low back pain
title_sort effects of aerobic exercise in addition to core stabilization exercises on functional capacity physical performance and fall risk in geriatric individuals with chronic non specific low back pain
topic Geriatric
Low back pain
Functional capacity
Physical performance
Falls
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01271-7
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