<?xml version="1.0"?>
<Articles JournalTitle="Journal of Family and Reproductive Health">
  <Article>
    <Journal>
      <PublisherName>Tehran University of Medical Sciences</PublisherName>
      <JournalTitle>Journal of Family and Reproductive Health</JournalTitle>
      <Issn>1735-8949</Issn>
      <Volume>15</Volume>
      <Issue>3</Issue>
      <PubDate PubStatus="epublish">
        <Year>2021</Year>
        <Month>09</Month>
        <Day>07</Day>
      </PubDate>
    </Journal>
    <title locale="en_US">Effect of Exercise on Inter-Recti Distance and Associated Low Back Pain Among Post-Partum Females: A Randomized Controlled Trial</title>
    <FirstPage>202</FirstPage>
    <LastPage>209</LastPage>
    <AuthorList>
      <Author>
        <FirstName>Zulekha</FirstName>
        <LastName>Saleem</LastName>
        <affiliation locale="en_US">Ziauddin College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan</affiliation>
      </Author>
      <Author>
        <FirstName>Amna</FirstName>
        <LastName>Khan</LastName>
        <affiliation locale="en_US">Ziauddin College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan</affiliation>
      </Author>
      <Author>
        <FirstName>Sumaira</FirstName>
        <LastName>Farooqui</LastName>
        <affiliation locale="en_US">Ziauddin College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan</affiliation>
      </Author>
      <Author>
        <FirstName>Rehana</FirstName>
        <LastName>Yasmeen</LastName>
        <affiliation locale="en_US">Ziauddin College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan</affiliation>
      </Author>
      <Author>
        <FirstName>Jaza</FirstName>
        <LastName>Rizvi</LastName>
        <affiliation locale="en_US">Ziauddin College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan</affiliation>
      </Author>
    </AuthorList>
    <History>
      <PubDate PubStatus="received">
        <Year>2020</Year>
        <Month>12</Month>
        <Day>13</Day>
      </PubDate>
      <PubDate PubStatus="accepted">
        <Year>2021</Year>
        <Month>07</Month>
        <Day>04</Day>
      </PubDate>
    </History>
    <abstract locale="en_US">Objective: This study aimed to emphasize facilitation training and strengthening of abdominal and core muscles in improving the inter-recti distance (IRD) and associated low back pain (LBP) among young postpartum females. 
Materials and methods: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial, among forty young postpartum females, was conducted at a community health center. The females were divided into two equal groups through the envelope method where Group A received abdominal crunch training protocol whereas group B received double straight leg raise (DSLR) exercise protocol for 6 weeks and pre and post IRD and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores were recorded. 
Results: Group A showed improvement in IRD with a mean difference of 1.95&#xB1;0.4 whereas in group B it was found to be 2.85&#xB1;0.35 when assessed through finger palpation method. The mean difference of IRD, when measured through digital nylon caliper method in abdominal crunch and DSLR exercise group was 4.06&#xB1;0.74 and 1.2&#xB1;0.49 respectively. Moreover, ODI scores of group A were 2.70&#xB1;1.05 whereas, group B scores were found to be 1.1&#xB1;0.06 showing that LBP reduced in participants who performed abdominal crunch exercise. 
Conclusion: This study reveals that 6 weeks of exercise protocol was observed to be effective in the management of DRA. Thus, abdominal crunch exercise seemed to produce promising results in a reduction of IRD and associated LBP.</abstract>
    <web_url>https://jfrh.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jfrh/article/view/1633</web_url>
    <pdf_url>https://jfrh.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jfrh/article/download/1633/570</pdf_url>
  </Article>
</Articles>
