# Effects of Core Stabilization Exercise Programs on Changes in
## 1 Introduction  
There have been rapid changes in the physical, economic, and social environment in which modern-day people perform activities, which has contributed to a distinct decrease in physical activities [1]. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least either 150 or 75 min of moderate- or high-intensity physical activity, respectively, or both to prevent reductions in physical activity levels [2]. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many changes in our daily life, one of those is that physical activity level has decreased, whereas sedentary lifestyles have increased [3]. The resulting lack of physical activity and increasingly sedentary lifestyle can cause numerous physical problems; further, maintaining a sedentary lifestyle for >4 h a day can threaten health [4, 5]. Functional decline caused by decreased physical activity, including muscle imbalance, muscle weakness, and loss of flexibility, can cause chronic musculoskeletal disorders [6]. Low-back pain is strongly associated with a sedentary lifestyle [7]; specifically, a more sedentary lifestyle is an independent risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders [8]. Further, a sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor for low-back pain since it can cause muscle fatigue, due to continued core muscle contractions, increased intradiscal loads, and the weakening of the posterior lumbar structure [9, 10]. [PERSON] et al. [8, 11] reported increased lumbarmuscle stiffness, as measured by an indentometer, after 4.5 h of sedentary work. Moreover, musculoskeletal disorders in the lower back may be caused by increased sedentary patterns since they increase muscle tension and sustain a shortened state in the lumbar region [8; 11]. Additionally, a decreased spinal stabilization function due to the lumbar muscle weakening is a major cause of low-back pain [12; 13]. Patients with low-back pain due to spinal instability have muscle tissue tension and damage due to the weakening of their lumbar extensors; accordingly, >85% of the total population experiences chronic low-back pain [14; 15; 16]. Previous studies have reported that women are more likely to be exposed to risk factors such as improper static posture [17], and the prevalence of low-back pain was higher in women than in men [18]. In women, it has been reported that there is a tendency to present worse and more persistent pain symptoms [19]. As aforementioned, increased tension and weakness in the trunk extensor resulting from a sedentary lifestyle can result in an increased incidence of low-back pain. Therefore, trunk-strengthening exercises are essential for reducing the incidence of low-back pain [9; 11; 14]. [PERSON] and [PERSON] [20] recently reported a significant improvement in core stability after prescribing a regular plank exercise for 6 weeks to 50 dentists who performed sedentary work for long hours. In a study on patients with non-specific low-back pain, [PERSON] et al. [21] reported that regular core stabilization exercise for 4 weeks could effectively increase muscle contractile thickness and reduce pain. Moreover, a study using a Swiss ball for 8 weeks reported a significant increase in core muscle activity after core stabilization exercises [22]. This broad range of benefits resulting from core stabilization can enhance exercise ability, prevent injuries, and alleviate low-back pain, which facilitates proper load balancing within the kinetic chain involving the spine and pelvis [23]. Therefore, systematic exercises for ensuring core stability are paramount for preventing a deterioration in trunk muscle function and low-back pain. However, previous studies on sedentary lifestyles have mostly focused on the physiological effects, including cardiovascular and metabolic effects, of lacking physical activities [24; 25; 26; 27].