• Cho-Rong Bae, Yan Jin, Bum-Chul Yoon, Nack-Hwan Kim, Kun-Woo Park, and Sang-Heon Lee.
• Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
• J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2018 Jan 1; 31 (5): 871-880.

BackgroundTraditional sit-up exercise is a simple method to strengthen core muscles. However, it can increase the potential of lumbar spine injury during the bending process.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of assisted sit-up exercise (SUE) using a new training device, HubEX-LEX®, on strengthening core muscles and improving non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) compared to conventional core stabilization exercise (CSE).MethodsSubjects with chronic NSLBP were randomly divided into two groups: SUE (n= 18) or CSE (n= 18). They participated in 12 sessions of the exercise program. Before and after the training, thickness and activity of core muscles were measured using ultrasonogram and surface electromyography respectively. Pain and disability were assessed using two questionnaires.ResultsThickness ratios (contracted/rest) of rectus abdominis and external oblique in the SUE group and those of transversus abdominis in the CSE group showed statistically significant difference between before and after exercise (p< 0.05). The ratio of activation of internal oblique relative to rectus abdominis and all measurements for pain and disability showed statistically significant improvement in both groups (p< 0.05).ConclusionsAssisted SUE using new training device can be an effective therapeutic exercise to strengthen dynamic abdominal muscles and improve core muscle activation pattern in NSLBP patients.

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