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@article{ART003272303},
author={Kim Kyoung and 전재훈 and 박창훈},
title={Effects of Bridge, Plank, and Bird-Dog Exercises on Pain, Disability, and Transversus Abdominis Function in Middle-Aged Women with Chronic Low Back Pain on Unstable Surfaces},
journal={Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine},
issn={1975-311X},
year={2025},
volume={20},
number={4},
pages={59-73}

TY - JOUR
AU - Kim Kyoung
AU - 전재훈
AU - 박창훈
TI - Effects of Bridge, Plank, and Bird-Dog Exercises on Pain, Disability, and Transversus Abdominis Function in Middle-Aged Women with Chronic Low Back Pain on Unstable Surfaces
JO - Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
PY - 2025
VL - 20
IS - 4
PB - The Korean Society of Physical Medicine
SP - 59
EP - 73
SN - 1975-311X
AB - PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the therapeutic effects of three lumbar stabilization exercises—bridge, prone bridge (plank), and bird-dog—performed on unstable surfaces in middle-aged women with chronic low back pain. The goal was to examine changes in pain, disability, and transversus abdominis muscle function, to support more individualized and effective rehabilitation strategies. METHODS: A total of 45 female outpatients aged 40 to 60 years who were receiving physical therapy for chronic low back pain were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n = 15 per group): the bridge exercise group, the prone bridge exercise group, and the bird-dog exercise group. All groups performed identical warm-up exercises, followed by interventions conducted twice weekly for four weeks on unstable support surfaces. Pain (Numerical Rating Scale, NRS), disability (Oswestry Disability Index, ODI), and transversus abdominis muscle performance (pressure biofeedback unit [PBU] holding time) were assessed before and after the intervention. RESULTS: All three groups showed significant improvements in pain, disability, and transversus abdominis performance (p < .05). Between-group analysis revealed that the plank and bird-dog groups had significantly greater reductions in NRS and ODI scores compared to the bridge group (p < .05). The bird-dog group demonstrated the largest improvement in transversus abdominis function (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Lumbar stabilization exercises on unstable surfaces are effective in reducing pain and improving function in middle-aged women with chronic low back pain. Among the interventions, the bird-dog exercise showed the greatest potential benefits, particularly in enhancing deep core muscle endurance and relieving symptoms. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously given the short intervention period and the absence of direct physiological measurements. Further studies are needed to confirm these effects.
KW - Abdominal Muscles;Disability Evaluation;Exercise Therapy;Low Back Pain;Pain Management
DO -
UR -
ER -

Kim Kyoung, 전재훈 and 박창훈. (2025). Effects of Bridge, Plank, and Bird-Dog Exercises on Pain, Disability, and Transversus Abdominis Function in Middle-Aged Women with Chronic Low Back Pain on Unstable Surfaces. Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine, 20(4), 59-73.

Kim Kyoung, 전재훈 and 박창훈. 2025, "Effects of Bridge, Plank, and Bird-Dog Exercises on Pain, Disability, and Transversus Abdominis Function in Middle-Aged Women with Chronic Low Back Pain on Unstable Surfaces", Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine, vol.20, no.4 pp.59-73.

Kim Kyoung, 전재훈, 박창훈 "Effects of Bridge, Plank, and Bird-Dog Exercises on Pain, Disability, and Transversus Abdominis Function in Middle-Aged Women with Chronic Low Back Pain on Unstable Surfaces" Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine 20.4 pp.59-73 (2025) : 59.

Kim Kyoung, 전재훈, 박창훈. Effects of Bridge, Plank, and Bird-Dog Exercises on Pain, Disability, and Transversus Abdominis Function in Middle-Aged Women with Chronic Low Back Pain on Unstable Surfaces. 2025; 20(4), 59-73.

Kim Kyoung, 전재훈 and 박창훈. "Effects of Bridge, Plank, and Bird-Dog Exercises on Pain, Disability, and Transversus Abdominis Function in Middle-Aged Women with Chronic Low Back Pain on Unstable Surfaces" Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine 20, no.4 (2025) : 59-73.

Kim Kyoung; 전재훈; 박창훈. Effects of Bridge, Plank, and Bird-Dog Exercises on Pain, Disability, and Transversus Abdominis Function in Middle-Aged Women with Chronic Low Back Pain on Unstable Surfaces. Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine, 20(4), 59-73.

Kim Kyoung; 전재훈; 박창훈. Effects of Bridge, Plank, and Bird-Dog Exercises on Pain, Disability, and Transversus Abdominis Function in Middle-Aged Women with Chronic Low Back Pain on Unstable Surfaces. Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine. 2025; 20(4) 59-73.

Kim Kyoung, 전재훈, 박창훈. Effects of Bridge, Plank, and Bird-Dog Exercises on Pain, Disability, and Transversus Abdominis Function in Middle-Aged Women with Chronic Low Back Pain on Unstable Surfaces. 2025; 20(4), 59-73.

Kim Kyoung, 전재훈 and 박창훈. "Effects of Bridge, Plank, and Bird-Dog Exercises on Pain, Disability, and Transversus Abdominis Function in Middle-Aged Women with Chronic Low Back Pain on Unstable Surfaces" Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine 20, no.4 (2025) : 59-73.