Effect of Hamstring stretching and core strengthening on Pain, Balance and Functional Disability among sedentary young adults with non - specific low back pain - A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial aims to assess the effect of hamstring stretching and core strengthening exercises on pain, balance, and functional disability in sedentary young adults with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). A total of 68 participants aged 19–28 years who report at least one episode of low back pain in the past 6 weeks will be enrolled from Nitte Institute of Physiotherapy, Mangaluru. Participants will be randomly allocated into two groups: Group A (Experimental) will receive hamstring stretching and core strengthening exercises along with standard care, while Group B (Control) will receive standard care only. Each intervention will be performed for 30 minutes per day, 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Outcome measures including the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for functional disability, and Multi-Directional Reach Test (MDRT) for balance will be recorded before and after the intervention. The results will help determine whether combined stretching and strengthening exercises are more effective than standard care in improving pain and function among sedentary young adults with NSLBP.