Lumbar Stabilization Exercises in Sedentary Adults

NCT07447167 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: UWestAttica-LSE-116235116235/12-11-2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This pilot randomized controlled trial will examine the effects of a four-week lumbar spine stabilization exercise program on motor control, dynamic balance, and quality of life in healthy sedentary adults. Prolonged sedentary behavior has been associated with impaired neuromuscular function and increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders, even in asymptomatic individuals. Forty sedentary adults will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group, which will follow a structured lumbar stabilization exercise program, or to a control group, which will receive ergonomic and stretching guidelines. Outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention using the SF-12v2 quality of life questionnaire, the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and the Y-Balance Test. Physical activity levels will be monitored using the IPAQ-SF. The study aims to determine whether lumbar stabilization exercises improve health-related quality of life, motor control and dynamic balance in sedentary adults.

Conditions

Sedentary Behavior; Motor Control Impairment; Quality of Life

Keywords

prevention; back pain; lumbar spine stabilization exercises; sedentary behavior; sedentary work; lack of physical activity

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12v2) Scores

  Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the SF-12v2 questionnaire. The eight domain scores (Physical Functioning, Role Physical, Bodily Pain, General Health, Vitality, Social Functioning, Role Emotional, and Mental Health) as well as the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores will be calculated. Domain scores will be transformed to a 0-100 scale, with higher scores indicating better perceived health status. PCS and MCS will be computed using norm-based scoring (mean = 50, SD = 10), where higher values reflect better overall physical and mental health.

  Baseline and 4 weeks (post-intervention)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Y-Balance Test Composite Score

  Baseline and 4 weeks (post-intervention)

• Functional Movement Screen (FMS) Total Score

  Baseline and 4 weeks (post-intervention)

Study Arms (2)

Lumbar Stabilization Exercise Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Structured lumbar stabilization exercise program .

Behavioral: Lumbar Stabilization Exercise Program

Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Ergonomic advice and general stretching exercise instructions.

Other: Ergonomic and Stretching Instructions

Interventions

Ergonomic and Stretching Instructions OTHER

Educational booklet including ergonomic recommendations and general stretching exercises without supervised stabilization training.

Control Group

Lumbar Stabilization Exercise Program BEHAVIORAL

A structured four-week lumbar stabilization exercise program targeting deep trunk musculature in healthy sedentary adults. The program will emphasize activation of the transversus abdominis, incorporation of diaphragmatic breathing, and progressive increase in exercise difficulty. Exercises will be performed under supervision in supine, prone, side-lying, and quadruped positions under structured guidance.

Lumbar Stabilization Exercise Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Healthy adults with a sedentary lifestyle (no regular structured exercise in the past 2-3 months)
• Ability to participate in a moderate-intensity exercise program
• Ability to understand instructions and complete assessment questionnaires

You may not qualify if:

• Regular participation in structured exercise programs within the previous 2-3 months
• Diagnosed lumbar disc herniation with neurological deficits
• History of spinal or lower limb surgery within the past year
• Acute musculoskeletal injury or exacerbation of low back pain within the past 4 weeks
• Neurological or neuromuscular disorders
• Active inflammatory rheumatic disease
• Cardiopulmonary contraindications to moderate-intensity exercise
• Pregnancy or postpartum period
• Use of medications significantly affecting balance or physical performance
• Inability to understand study instructions or comply with study procedures

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of West Attica: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of West Attica

Aigáleo, Attica, 12243, Greece

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sedentary Behavior; Back Pain

Interventions

Ergonomics

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Engineering; Technology, Industry, and Agriculture

Study Officials

• Georgios Koumantakis, PhD

  University of West Attica

  STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

Dimitra Korda, PT

CONTACT

+306938441422; dimitracorda@gmail.com

Georgios Koumantakis, PhD

CONTACT

gkoumantakis@uniwa.gr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: MSc Student

Model Details: Two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial. Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either a lumbar stabilization exercise group or a control group receiving ergonomic and stretching instructions. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and post-intervention.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 25, 2026
• First Posted: March 3, 2026
• Study Start: February 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: March 1, 2026
• Study Completion: March 1, 2026
• Last Updated: March 4, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP
• Time Frame: Data will be available upon reasonable request after publication of the study results, subject to institutional approval and data protection regulations.
• Access Criteria: Data will be shared with qualified researchers upon reasonable request, following review and approval by the principal investigator and in accordance with applicable data protection regulations.

Locations

GR (1)