A STUDY TO ANALYZE EFFECT OF CORRECTIVE EXERCISES ON SPINAL ALIGNMENT AND PELVIC TILT IN VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS WITH NON-SPECIFIC MECHANICAL LOW BACK PAIN – AN INTERVENTIONAL STUDY
Keywords:
Non-specific low back pain, volleyball players, pelvic tilt, lumbar lordosis, spinal alignment, corrective exercises, postural correction,, core stabilization, sports rehabilitation, biomechanical parameters.Abstract
Background: Volleyball players frequently experience non-specific mechanical low back pain
(NSLBP) due to frequent jumping, asymmetric loading, and rapid direction changes. This condition
often results in anterior pelvic tilt, decreased lumbar lordosis, and muscular imbalances. Although
postural dysfunction in athletes is increasingly recognized, few interventional studies have assessed
focused corrective training regimens in this population.
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured 6-week corrective exercise program on spinal
alignment (lumbar lordosis), pelvic tilt, and pain intensity in volleyball players with non-specific
mechanical low back pain.
Methods: Thirty volleyball players (18–30 years) with NSLBP lasting longer than four weeks and
baseline VAS >5 during activity participated in a pre-test, post-test interventional trial. A progressive
three-phase corrective exercise program (pain control & mobility, stability & alignment, and
strengthening & functional integration) was administered. Outcome measures included pelvic tilt angle
(goniometer), lumbar curve angle (flexi-ruler using Youdas method), and pain intensity (Visual Analog
Scale). Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
Results: Statistically significant improvements were observed post-intervention (p < 0.001). Anterior
pelvic tilt decreased from 14.63° ± 1.79° to 11.22° ± 1.86° (mean reduction 3.41°). Lumbar lordosis
increased from 38.04° ± 2.98° to 41.53° ± 3.00° (mean gain 3.49°). Pain intensity reduced substantially
from 6.91 ± 1.02 to 2.69 ± 1.42 on VAS (mean reduction 4.22 points). The program was well-tolerated
with excellent compliance and no adverse events.
Conclusion: Volleyball players with non-specific low back pain can effectively correct pelvic tilt,
restore lumbar lordosis, and considerably reduce pain with a systematic, stepwise corrective exercise
program. These results support the use of sport-specific postural correction techniques in the treatment
and prevention of NSLBP in volleyball players.
