OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to emphasize facilitation training and strengthening of abdominal and core muscles in improving the inter-recti distance (IRD) and associated low back pain (LBP) among young postpartum females. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial, among forty young postpartum females, was conducted at a community health center. The females were divided into two equal groups through the envelope method where group A received abdominal crunch training protocol whereas group B received double straight leg raise (DSLR) exercise protocol for 6 weeks and pre and post IRD and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores were recorded. RESULTS: Group A showed improvement in IRD with a mean difference of 1.95 +/- 0.4 whereas in group B it was found to be 2.85 +/- 0.35 when assessed through finger palpation method. The mean difference of IRD, when measured through digital nylon caliper method in abdominal crunch and DSLR exercise group was 4.06 +/- 0.74 and 1.2 +/- 0.49 respectively. Moreover, ODI scores of group A were 2.70 +/- 1.05 whereas, group B scores were found to be 1.1 +/- 0.06 showing that LBP reduced in participants who performed abdominal crunch exercise. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that 6 weeks of exercise protocol was observed to be effective in the management of DRA. Thus, abdominal crunch exercise seemed to produce promising results in a reduction of IRD and associated LBP.

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