The influence of callanetics training on sedentary work performing women’s lower back piece pain and function

The object of work: the influence of the Callanetics exercises on sedentary work performing women‘s lower back piece pain, muscle strenth and flexibility. The problem of the research: Lower back pain is a major health problem worldwide. Physical activity decreases due to the increasing mental stress and the processes of globalization continue to increase. Intervention based on exercise is most frequently used to treat patients suffering from chronic low back pain (Christopher et al., 2016). Lithuanian health system offers a variety of methods how to change the lifestyle and become more physically active. Over the past few years, callanetics has become quite popular among women athletes here in Lithuania. It helps to straighten back, relieve pain, embellish and keep the body lines (Afanasjeva, 2012). The objectives of the research: to identify and assess the effect of the twelve - week duration Callanetics training on sedentary work performing women’s lower back piece pain and functionality. Tasks of the work: 1. To evaluate the effect of Callanetics exercises programme on the isokinetic force of back bending and straightening muscles. 2. To evaluate the effect of Callanetics exercises programme on the isokinetic endurance of back bending and straightening muscles. 3. To evaluate the effect of Callanetics exercises programme on the lumbar multifidus muscle cross-sectional area. 4. To evaluate the effect of Callanetics exercises programme on the level of low back pain, flexion amplitude and functional state. 5. To evaluate correlation between strength, endurance of waist bending and straightening muscles, lumbar multifidus muscle cross-sectional area and low back pain intensity and functional state. Hypothesis: 12-week duration callanetics training programme will reduce lower back pain and improve functionality for sedentary work performing women. Conclusions: 1. Isokinetic force of waist bending and straightening muscles has increased (p < 0.05) after the Callanetics exercises programme; 2. Static endurance of waist bending and straightening muscles has increased (p < 0.05) after the Callanetics exercises programme; 3. Lumbar multifidus muscle cross-sectional area (cm2) has also increased (p < 0,05) after the Callanetics exercises programme; 4. Low back pain has decreased; flexion amplitude and functional state has increased (p < 0.05) after the Callanetics exercises programme. 5. The correlation was found between low back pain reduction and increase of multifidus muscle cross-sectional area. The correlation also exists between low back pain reduction and back muscle strength ratio between the agonist and antagonist, as well as the decrease of body fat percentage (p < 0,05). Recommendations: 1. To increase the stability of the torso muscles and the mobility and flexibility of the lumbar spine, we recommend to apply Callanetics method. 2. For long-term and greater impact on torso mobility and muscle stability we recommend regular (two - three times a week) Callanetics practices