EFFECT OF 8-WEEKS WHOLE BODY VIBRATION AND STRETCHING EXERCISE THERAPIES ON LOW BACK PAIN AMONG TRAFFIC COMPLIANCE ENFORCEMENT CORPS IN ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Exercise is a natural stimulus for the healing process of low back pain (LBP). Controlled and progressive exercise often provides long-term solution to LBP rather than inactivity and bed rest. This study therefore investigated the effects of 8-weeks whole body vibration exercise (WBVE) and stretching exercise (SE) therapies on LBP among traffic compliance enforcement (TRACE) corps in Abeokuta, Ogun state, Nigeria. Randomised pre-test post-test control group experimental research design was adopted with sixty participants selected using multistage sampling procedures. The participants were assigned into experimental group one (WBVE) experimental group two (SE) and control group (physical fitness lecture). Data collected was analysed using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation for anthropometric parameters analysis, while Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) was used to test the hypotheses formulated. There was significant main effect of WBVE (F(2,12) = 9.764, p = 0.043 <.05); SE (F(2,17) = 58.864, p = 0.000 <.05); and three-way interaction effects of treatments, age and gender (F(2,43) = 2.395, p<.05, ?2=.100 [effect size, 10%]) on LBP. It was concluded that WBVE and SE could effectively reduce low back pain thereby improving health and job performance. The study recommended among others that combination of WBVE and SE be integrated into the routine programs for the TRACE personnel in order to curtail the issue of LBP.