This master's thesis presents a case study of a 20-year-old physically inactive female diagnosed with a paramedian lumbar disc herniation at the L5–S1 level, causing irritation of the S1 nerve root. The aim was to design, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week individualized kinesiological intervention and to assess its impact on trunk muscle strength, pain symptoms, and perceived quality of life. The results demonstrated multidimensional effectiveness of the intervention. Functional disability, measured by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), decreased from 28% to 4%, indicating a transition to near-complete functional independence. Perceived quality of life, assessed using the SF-12 questionnaire, showed improvements in both the physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) components, reflecting a notable reduction in psychophysical burden and greater functional engagement in daily activities. All three research hypotheses were empirically confirmed.
McGill’s endurance testing battery revealed significant improvements in trunk stabilizer endurance. Trunk flexor endurance increased from 29 s to 91 s, extensor endurance from 31 s to 113 s, and lateral trunk flexor endurance from 17 s to 59 s on the left, and from 21 s to 62 s on the right. Comparative ratio analysis further indicated improved muscular balance and enhanced ability to maintain tension across critical trunk segments, supporting the program’s effectiveness in achieving core stabilization goals.
Additionally, goniometric analysis revealed clinically meaningful gains in posterior kinetic chain flexibility, most notably in active hip flexion with the knee extended on the left side (from 53.9° to 70°). This change may suggest reduced neural tension and indirect decompression of the sensory component of the S1 nerve root, further supported by a negative Bragard’s test post-intervention. Improved lumbar spine mobility in flexion, extension, and lateral flexion was also observed, possibly reflecting a reduction in pain-related movement inhibition and the restoration of functional range of motion.
Other clinical measures—including gait and posture assessment, motor control patterns (via the FMS test battery), and McGill's provocation tests—served as descriptive complements, enriching the interpretation of therapeutic progress and outcomes.
This case study confirms the clinical relevance of a comprehensively designed kinesiological exercise program as an effective conservative approach to managing lumbar disc herniation. It also highlights the importance of early identification of biomechanical and psychological predispositions in younger populations and supports the development of individualized, validated rehabilitation protocols tailored to discogenic pathologies.
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