Effect of Core Stability Exercise and Vitamin D Intake on Liver Enzymes Activities in Women With Chronic Low Back Pain

Background: Deficiency or insufficient level of vitamin D is very common in patients with liver disease, and is closely related to musculoskeletal pains, including low back pain. Objective: The current study aims to investigate of the activity of liver enzymes in women with chronic low back pain following core stability exercises and vitamin D intake. Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 48 women (Mean±SD of age=36.59±5.50 years) in 2019 selected by using a convenience sampling method. They were randomly divided into four groups of control, vitamin D, exercise and combined (exercise +vitamin D). The last two exercise groups performed 8 weeks of core stability exercises with different intensities. The vitamin D  and combined groups received 50,000 IU/week of vitamin D for 8 weeks. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities were measured before and after the interventions. Data were analyzed by using paired t-test and one-way ANOVA. Findings: Eight weeks of core stability exercises, vitamin D intake, and the combined exercise and vitamin D supplementation caused a significant reduction in the activity of AST, ALT, and ALP enzymes. The combined intervention induced more reduction in the AST and ALP activities compared to other two groups received exercise and supplementation alone, and the decrease in ALT activity following the combined intervention was higher compared to the exercise group.  Conclusion: It seems that the core stability exercises, vitamin D intake, and combination of exercise and vitamin D supplementation can improve liver function in women with chronic low back pain who have vitamin D deficiency by reducing the activity of liver enzymes. The combined intervention has greater effectiveness in improving liver function.