The treatment consisted of exercise therapy (ET) protocol suggested by Holmich et al and was started under the supervision of a trained sport physiotherapist who ensured that the exercise was carried out correctly and adhered to the original protocol. No treatment other than ET was applied. Although the ET protocol exactly mirrored the randomised clinical trial of Holmich et al, details such as the perceived resistance or weights (in exercise 3 in module 2) and the rest period between the exercise sets and repetitions, which were not defined in the Holmich study, were explained here for the athletes' benefit (tables 1 and 2). Treatment was administered three times a week (on even or odd days). The duration of each session was about 90 min for module 1 (first two weeks) and 120 min for module 2 (from the third week). From the third week, the athletes were asked to perform exercises from module 1 every other day, between the treatment sessions. Although adductor muscle stretching was for

To record electromyographic activity of selected lumbo-pelvic muscles, the skin surface of the participants will be cleansed with alcohol pads and shaved to remove any hair in the designated area. Subsequently, to reduce skin electrical resistance, the skin will be lightly abraded with a soft sandpaper until its color visibly lightens. Surface electrodes, spaced 2 centimeters center-to-center along the muscle fibers, will then be affixed in the direction of the muscle fibers. The selected muscles for the lumbar region include the right rectus abdominis, internal oblique, and multifidus, while for the pelvic region, the iliocostalis lumborum and gluteus medius will be considered. Electrodes will be positioned according to SENIAM protocols for the respective muscles of interest. Proper electrode placement will be verified through manual assessment techniques, and electromyographic signals will be assessed and analyzed.

The ESST was administered using a version standardized from previous literature. The units of measurement were changed from feet to meters, resulting in a slightly longer course of 4 m in length with four 1 m (3.28 ft) increments. The starting position was changed from the center cone to the far left cone in order to standardize the starting position, and each 1 m increment was marked with a strip of tape and a cone, which allowed for easier scoring of the test. The raters were positioned in front of and behind the participant. The participant began in a standing position behind the far left cone and was instructed not to cross his feet while sidestep ping. On the "go" command, the participant sidestepped to the right until his right foot had touched or crossed the outside cone or tape mark. The participant then side-stepped to the left until his left foot had touched or crossed the left outside cone or tape mark. The participant sidestepped back and forth to the outside cones as rapi

The T-test was set up and administered using the protocol outlined by Semenick (1984). Upon the "Go" command, the sub- jects were instructed to sprint forward 9.10 m (10 yd), touch the cone with their right hand and without crossing their feet, side shuffle 4.55 m (5 yd) to the left, and touch the cone with their left hand. The subject then shuffles to the right 9.10 m (10 yd), touches the cone with their right hand, and returns to the center cone by side shuffling 4.55 m (5 yd). The subject then touches the center cone with their left hand and back pedals 9.10 m (10 yd) through the finish line, ensuring that balance is maintained. The intraclass reliability of the T-test was 0.98 across 3 trials in Pauole study (2000)(110) and 0.88 - 0.95 in Stewart study (2014)(111).