Effects of breathing methods on patients with chronic back pain during plank exercise

Objective: The purpose of this study is to provide an exercise method for effective trunk stabilization by analyzing the thickness of the abdominal muscles, low back pain, and lumbar spine dysfunction by applying the simultaneous contraction of the plank exercise and the maximal expiratory method to patients with chronic back pain. Method: The number of subjects was 20 in total, 10 in the experimental group and 10 in the control group. The control group applied a plank exercise program, and the experimental group was provided with a plank exercise program in parallel with maximal exhalation. The exercise time was about 10 minutes. It was conducted 5 times a week for a total of 2 weeks. In both groups, the thickness of the abdominis muscle, pain level(NRS), and Korean-osweatry disability index(K-ODI) level were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results: All subjects who participated in the exercise program showed a common result: low back pain and low back pain disability index, and increased abdominal muscle thickness. In the case of the experimental group, there were more significant changes in the thickness of the abdominal muscles, the degree of low back pain, and the degree of low back pain disability index compared to the control group(p<.05). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: It is considered that plank exercise accompanied by maximum exhalation will be an effective plank exercise method to reduce low back pain and low back pain disability index by activating deep abdominal muscles.