Abstract
Purpose. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the impact of muscle energy technique and core stability exercises on lumbar lordosis angle, pelvic inclination angle, and lumbar range of motion (ROM) in adults with asymptomatic hyperlordosis. Materials and methods. Sixty subjects with documented lumbar hyper-lordosis, aged 18-30, had a lumbar lordosis angle > 58.5 ° with a body mass index of ˂ 29.9 kg/m2, were assigned randomly into three groups. Group (A) underwent muscle energy technique in addition to postural correction exercises, group (B) received core stability exercises along with postural correction exercises, while group (C) got a postural correction exercise only. The intervention was administered for 12 weeks, three days a week. Plain X-ray and double inclinometers were used respectively for the assessment of lumbar lordosis and pelvic inclination angles and lumbar flexion and extension ROM. Results. All groups reported a substantial decrement in both lumbar lordotic and pelvic inclination angles as well as a marked increment in lumbar flexion and extension ROM following intervention relative to baseline. Differences between groups were noteworthy with respect to lumbar lordotic angle, pelvic angle of inclination and lumbar flexion ROM with significant enhancements in favor of group A and B compared to group C, however, there was no difference between groups regarding lumbar extension ROM. Conclusions. Both muscle energy technique and core stability exercises are equally effective in correcting hyperlordosis and pelvic tilting, as well as in increasing lumbar flexion and extension ROM through improving lumbopelvic stability and pelvic symmetry in adults with asymptomatic hyperlordosis.

Key words:
Muscle energy technique, core stability exercises, hyperlordosis