ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Ballet dancers often suffer from low back pain. AIM: Low back pain can be reduced by strengthening the core muscles with the help of a special exercise program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the study 62 ballet dancer women (average age: 14.89 ± 1.21 years) were included. Intervention group: n = 30 participant, average age: 14.86 ± 1.00 years, control group: n = 32 participant, average age: 14.91 ± 1.37 years. We examined the pain intensity that occurs during training with visual analog scale, the habitual posture with photogrammetry, the abdominal muscle strength with Kraus-Weber test, the static muscle strength of the trunk muscles with core test and the lumbar motor control with leg lowering test. The intervention group did a trunk prevented exercise program during 3 months, and then we examined them again. RESULTS: In the intervention group the intensity of pain significantly decreased (VAS1: p = 0.012; VAS2: p = 0.021), the abdominal muscle strength significantly improved (K-W. B: p=0.025; K-W. C: p<0.001), the static muscle strength of trunk muscles significantly increased (Core-test: p<0.001) and the lumbar motor control significantly improved in both legs (Leg low. R.: p<0.001; Leg low. L.: p<0.001). Also, the habitual posture greatly improved (frontal view: 34.78%, side view: 52.17%). CONCLUSION: In ballet dancers with a special exercise program, which improves the conditions of trunk muscles, the motor control of lumbar regions can be improved and the lower back pain and the incidence of injuries can be reduced. Orv., Hetil., 2017, 158(2), 58-66.