European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF STRETCHING EXERCISES VERSUS CORE STRENGTHENING EXERCISES ON PRIMARY DYSMENORRHEA IN YOUNG SEDENTARY FEMALES

Ronika Agrawal* and Rushda Ahmed

ABSTRACT

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea is one of the most common complaint in females and most common gynecological problem worldwide. It is a leading cause of absenteeism in work and school amongst adolescent girls and it affects their academic performance, school and sports activities. Out of the two stretching exercises versus core strengthening exercises which reduces pain and distress needs to be studied. Hence the study. Methods: Sixty female students were assigned in two groups. One group was given stretching exercises of all major groups while second group was given core strengthening exercises. Exercises were given six days/week for 8 weeks. Pre –post NRS, Menstrual Distress Questionnaire, Number of pain killer Tablets, Core Muscle Strength and Sit And Reach Test scores were taken. Student’s t-tests were used to find the significance of study. Results: The results of this study showed that there was significant reduction in NRS(p<0.0001), Menstrual Distress Questionnaire(p<0.0001), Number of pain killer Tablets(p<0.0001), Core Muscle Strength(p<.0001) and Sit And Reach Test scores(p<0.001) in both the groups. Conclusion: Our study shows that stretching exercises and core strengthening exercise to girls suffering from primary dysmenorrhea can reduce pain and menstrual symptoms and no of tablets consumed during menstruation. Thus it could be performed as an effective treatment method for girls suffering from primary dysmenorrhea.

Keywords: Primary dysmenorrhea, Core Strengthening, Stretching exercise, Sedentary females.