This prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial investigates whether the addition of spinal mobilization to a structured home exercise program improves pain, flexibility, lower-extremity strength, dynamic balance, and jump performance in recreational tennis players (aged 18-45 years; BMI 18-30 kg/m²) with non-radiating mechanical low back pain. Participants were allocated to two parallel groups: a Control Group performing a 21-session home exercise program for 3 weeks, and an Experimental Group performing the same program plus four physiotherapist-administered spinal mobilization sessions (one at baseline and one weekly for 3 weeks). Outcomes were the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain during physical activity, at rest, and at night; the Y-Balance Test; the Vertical Jump Test; the Sit-and-Reach Test; and isometric strength measured with a back-chest-leg dynamometer.
Who can participate
Age range18 Years – 45 Years
SexALL
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Inclusion Criteria:
* Adults aged 18-45 years.
* Body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 30 kg/m².
* Mechanical low back pain that decreases in the supine position and increases with activity or in various postures.
* Low back pain of more than one week duration with a baseline intensity greater than 4 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and unrelated to any defined medical condition.
* Playing tennis on a recreational basis at least 2 days per week, totalling at least 2 hours per week.
* Able to communicate in Turkish or English in both written and spoken form.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Pain in the lower back, hip, or groin lasting longer than 6 months.
* Pain accompanied by a sensory deficit.
* Pain radiating to the hip or lower extremity.
* History of long-term steroid use.
* Regular medication use.
* History of injury or surgery resulting in residual deficits.
* Previous interventional treatment to the lumbar region.
* Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy.
Termination Criteria During Study:
* Onset of an acute illness requiring treatment (e.g., influenza, pneumonia).
* Use of analgesic or sedative medication.
* An increase in VAS pain score greater than 3 points during exercise or treatment.
* Failure to perform the home exercise programme on three consecutive days.
* Missed manual therapy session.
What they're measuring
1
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain during physical activity (cm