EFFECTIVENESS OF INTEGRATED NEUROMUSCULAR TRAINING VERSUS JANDA-BASED CORRECTIVE EXERCISE ON ANTERIOR PELVIC TILT AND SPRINT PERFORMANCE AMONG YOUNG COLLEGIATE SPRINTERS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

Background: Anterior pelvic tilt (APT) is a common postural deviation among sprinters and may adversely affect sprint performance by altering lumbopelvic biomechanics. This study compared the effectiveness of Integrated Neuromuscular Training (INT) and Janda-Based Corrective Exercise (JBCE) on APT and sprint performance among collegiate sprinters. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 60 collegiate sprinters aged 18–25 years with APT greater than 12°. Participants were randomly assigned to either the INT group (n=30) or the JBCE group (n=30). Both groups underwent supervised exercise sessions for 45 minutes, three times weekly, for eight weeks. The primary outcome was anterior pelvic tilt angle, while secondary outcomes included 30-meter sprint time, core endurance, and hip flexor flexibility. Data were analyzed using paired and independent-samples t-tests. Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in all outcome measures after eight weeks (p<0.001). However, INT produced significantly greater reductions in APT (9.9±1.8° vs. 11.9±1.7°; p<0.001) and greater improvements in sprint time, core endurance, and hip flexor flexibility compared with JBCE. Moderate-to-large effect sizes favoured the INT intervention. Conclusion: Both INT and JBCE were effective in improving pelvic alignment and performance outcomes. However, INT was superior in reducing anterior pelvic tilt and enhancing sprint performance, suggesting its potential as a comprehensive conditioning strategy for collegiate sprinters.