Effectiveness of a rehabilitation program using stretching exercises and aquatic environment in relieving lower back pain and spinal muscle flexibility among handball players in Najaf al-Ashraf clubs

The purpose of this paper is to identify the effect of a rehabilitation program that includes stretching exercises and aquatic exercises on reducing lower back pain and improving spinal muscle flexibility among handball players in Najaf clubs. This pain is a result of the physical stress they experience during training and matches. The researcher adopted the experimental method, as it is suitable for the nature of the problem. A sample of handball players suffering from lower back pain was selected and divided into two groups: an experimental group that underwent the rehabilitation program, and a control group that continued their regular training. The rehabilitation program included a series of stretching exercises aimed at lengthening the lumbar and lower back muscles, in addition to specific aquatic exercises to reduce stress on the joints and increase mobility with minimal pain. Pre- and post-tests were conducted to measure pain levels and spinal flexibility using appropriate medical and physical assessments.