Effect of Coordinated Locomotor Training on Lumbopelvic Stability and Pain in Runners With Mechanical Low Back Pain

NCT07604168 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: TUF/EIRB/ 209 /26
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 28
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Mechanical low back pain is a common problem among novice runners, often caused by poor control of the lumbopelvic region and weak core stability. Coordinated Locomotor Training is a neuromotor exercise approach that improves the coordination of arm and leg movements while activating trunk muscles. This study aims to determine whether Coordinated Locomotor Training improves lumbopelvic stability and reduces pain-related limitations in runners with mechanical low back pain compared to plyometric training. The study is a randomized controlled trial that will enroll 28 novice runners from universities in Faisalabad, Pakistan. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive Coordinated Locomotor Training for 60 minutes per session, twice weekly, for 8 weeks. The other group will receive plyometric training for the same duration and frequency. Lumbopelvic stability will be measured using a pelvic inclinometer and a flexible ruler. Pain levels will be measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Measurements will be taken before and after the 8-week intervention period. The investigators hypothesize that Coordinated Locomotor Training will lead to greater improvements in lumbopelvic stability and greater reductions in pain compared to plyometric training.

Conditions

Mechanical Low Back Pain; Lumbopelvic Pain

Keywords

Coordinated Locomotor Training; Novice Runners; Core Stability; Neuromotor Training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Pain Intensity

  Pain intensity will be measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, an 11-point scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst possible pain). Participants rate their current low back pain and their worst pain over the past 24 hours. The scale has excellent test-retest reliability (r \> 0.90) and high sensitivity to clinical change.

  Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Lumbopelvic Stability - Anterior Pelvic Tilt

  Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)

• Change in Lumbopelvic Stability - Lumbar Lordosis Angle

  Baseline (week 0) and post-intervention (week 8)

Study Arms (2)

Coordinated Locomotor Training Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive Coordinated Locomotor Training consisting of sprinter and skater pattern exercises performed in supine, crawling, sitting, and standing positions. Each session lasts 60 minutes, twice weekly for 8 weeks.

Behavioral: Coordinated Locomotor Training

Plyometric Training Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants receive plyometric training consisting of squat jumps and multidirectional hops using a 45 cm box. Each session lasts 60 minutes, twice weekly for 8 weeks.

Behavioral: Plyometric Training

Interventions

Coordinated Locomotor Training BEHAVIORAL

Coordinated Locomotor Training is a neuromotor exercise program that enhances synchronization of upper and lower limb movements while promoting trunk muscle activation. The protocol includes sprinter and skater pattern exercises performed in four positions: supine, crawling, sitting, and standing. Participants perform 10 repetitions per set, completing 3 sets per session. Each session includes a 5-minute warm-up followed by 30 minutes of active training, totaling 60 minutes per session. The intervention is delivered twice weekly for 8 weeks (16 sessions total) by a trained physical therapist.

Coordinated Locomotor Training Group

Plyometric Training BEHAVIORAL

Plyometric training consists of explosive jump exercises designed to improve power and neuromuscular control. The protocol includes two sets of 30-second stimulation sessions with multidirectional hops, followed by six series of squat jumps using a 45 cm box height. Each series includes 30 seconds of activation and 30 seconds of relaxation, with a two-second gap between each jump. Total session time is 60 minutes, delivered twice weekly for 8 weeks (16 sessions total).

Plyometric Training Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age between 18 and 30 years
• Novice runner with less than one year of consistent running experience
• History of mechanical low back pain for 6 to 12 weeks (sub-acute phase)
• Pain intensity between 4 and 6 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale
• Running frequency of 2 to 4 sessions per week with total weekly mileage less than 25 km
• Pain aggravated by mechanical activities (running, lifting, prolonged standing) and relieved by rest
• Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Participation in any structured core training or rehabilitation program within the past 3 months
• History of spinal surgery or specific spinal pathology (disc herniation, spondylolisthesis)
• Presence of pain radiating below the knee or neurological symptoms (numbness, tingling, weakness)
• Current lower limb injury affecting running performance
• Severe pain intensity greater than 6 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale
• Pregnancy or postpartum period within the last 6 months in females

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Faisalabad: lead

Study Sites (1)

The University of Faisalabad

Faisalābad, Punjab Province, 3800, Pakistan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Low Back Pain

Interventions

Plyometric Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Exercise Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Physical Conditioning, Human; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 16, 2026
• First Posted: May 22, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: April 19, 2026
• Study Completion: April 24, 2026
• Last Updated: May 22, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)