• Gopal Nambi, Walid Kamal Abdelbasset, Bader A Alqahtani, Saud M Alrawaili, Ahmed M Abodonya, and Ayman K Saleh.
• Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2020 May 22; 99 (21): e20418.

BackgroundIsokinetic training (IKT) and core stabilization training (CST) are commonly used for balance training in musculoskeletal conditions. The knowledge about the effective implementation of these training protocols on sports performances in university football players with chronic low back pain (LBP) is lacking.ObjectiveTo find and compare the effects of IKT and CST on sports performances in university football players with chronic LBP.DesignRandomized, double-blinded controlled study.SettingUniversity hospital.ParticipantsSixty LBP participants divided into isokinetic group (IKT; n = 20), core stabilization group (CST; n = 20), and the control group (n = 20) and received respected exercises for 4 weeks.Outcome MeasuresClinical (pain intensity and player wellness) and sports performances (40 m sprint, 4 × 5 m sprint, submaximal shuttle running, counter movement jump, and squat jump) scores were measured at baseline, after 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 3 months.ResultsFour weeks following training IKT group shows more significant changes in pain intensity and player wellness scores than CST and control groups (P ≤ .001). Sports performance variables (40 m sprint, 4 × 5 m sprint, submaximal shuttle running, counter movement jump and squat jump) scores also show significant improvement in IKT group than the other 2 groups (P ≤ .001).ConclusionThis study suggests that training through IKT improves pain intensity and sports performances than CST in university football players with chronic LBP.

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