Effect of Core Stability Exercise on Cross-Sectional Area of Lumbar Multifidus Muscle and Physical Capacity

Abstract

Research background and hypothesis. Our research novelty was the validation of the use of the method of
Ultrasound Imaging to measure the changes in the size of the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the multifidus muscle,
performing  exercises  for  lumbar  stability.  Stabilization  exercises  have  been  designed  in  order  to  enhance  the
neuromuscular control system correct the dysfunction.
Research aim. The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of core stability exercise for cross-sectional
area of lumbar multifidus muscle and physical capacity for elderly women.
Research methods. The elderly women (n = 22) were in occupations involving light or no manual work and
did not take part in sports. CSA of the multifidus muscle was measured from L2 to L5 vertebral segments. These
measures were taken with ultrasound „TITAN TM ” (SonoSite, USA). For the assessment of physical capacity we
estimated the women’s static strength endurance of back muscles and dynamic strength endurance of abdominal
muscles. The tests were done three times: the first testing occurred before exercises for training lumbar stability,
the second – after four months, and the third – after eight months of applying exercises for training lumbar stability.
Research results. The results of study showed that after eight months of stability exercises, the subjects had
significantly larger right side multifidus CSA than before practice  – 9.01 ± 1.1, the left side of the lumbar multifidus
muscle was 8.23 ± 0.9 (p < 0.05). After the evaluation of physical capacity we revealed that after eight moths it was
97.6 ± 2.8 s (very good), compared to the values before the research (25.4 ± 9.2) (p < 0.05).
Discussion  and  conclusions.  After  the  core  stabilization  exercise  program  multifidus  CSA  values  were
significantly larger than before practice, multifidus muscle asymmetry  decreased. Physical activity programs adapted
to the elderly women increased their physical capacities.

Keywords: lumbar stability, physical activity programs, age.