Effects Of Core Strength Training On Chronic Lumbar Muscle Strain In Alpine Skiers

Purpose: The present study is to evaluate the effects of core strength training on alpine skiers suffering from lumbar muscle strain for 8 weeks and compared with a matched control group.The positive effect is to help alpine skiers effectively heal lumbar injuries and improve sports performance.Method: 34 alpine skiers suffering from lumbar muscle strain were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group.The experimental group received core strength training for 8 weeks,and the control group without intervention.Mc Gill core endurance test;concentric 60 °/s,120 °/s isokinetic muscle strength test(peak torque,relative peak torque,flexion-extension ratio,total work,average power)in a ballistic mode using the CON-TREX? TP 1000 test system,ODI low back pain questionnaire of all subjects was measured before and after the intervention.Results: After intervention,the experimental group has significant improvement(P<0.01)in Mc Gill test while there is no significant difference in control group(P>0.05);The extensor peak torque,average power at 60 °/s and 120 °/s,relative peak torque at 60 °/s,total work at 120 °/s of the experimental group has significant increase after intervention and between groups(P<0.01).The extensor total work at 60 °/s,relative peak torque at 120 °/s of the experimental group has significant increase after intervention(P<0.01)The flexor peak torque at 60 °/s and 120 °/s,total work at120 °/s of the experimental group has significant increase after intervention(P<0.05).The flexor average power at 120 °/s of the experimental group has significant increase after intervention(P<0.01)There is no difference in the ratios of flexion to extension peak torque at 60 °/s and 120 °/s of the experimental group after intervention and between groups(P>0.05).Except for significant decrease in flexor relative peak torque at 60 °/s(P<0.05),there is no difference in the control group.The ODI score of the experimental group has significant improvement between and within the group(P<0.01)and there were no significant differences between the other test group(P>0.05).Conclusions: 1.the endurance of the trunk muscles of alpine skiers could be improved by core strength training.2.the strength and power of the trunk muscles of alpine skiers could be improved by core strength training,especially the trunk extensor muscles while balance the trunk flexors and extensor muscles to a certain extent.3.the ODI score of alpine skiers with lumbar muscle strain can also be improved by core strength training.4.Core strength training should be included in the routine training of alpine skiers.