Isometric Core Muscle Endurance in Healthy Active and Non-active Working Age Populations
Phase: NA
Conditions: Physical Endurance
Sponsor: Hanna Holmberg

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ISOMETRIC CORE MUSCLE ENDURANCE IN HEALTHY ACTIVE AND NON- 
ACTIVE WORKING AGE POPULATIONS 
Hanna Holmberg, Lynne E Gaskell 
28.05.2018 
 
 
 

ISOMETRIC CORE MUSCLE ENDURANCE IN HEALTHY ACTIVE AND NON-
ACTIVE WORKING AGE POPULATIONS 
Hanna Holmberg, Lynne E Gaskell 
 
 
This is the first study to investigate the core muscle endurance of different age groups 
and genders with all four endurance tests of the core. 
Core endurance has been previously tested in literature with either isometric or dynamic 
tests. Strand et al. (1), however, claim that dynamic tests like sit-ups are more indicative of 
inner range muscle strength and power, and therefore, do not reflect the muscle endurance. 
Biering-Sorensen, McGill v-sit and side plank have been found to be the most reliable and safe 
in a myriad of different isometric core endurance tests (2–7). The reliability of v-sit has been 
found to be 0.66-0.73 (7–9), Biering-Sorensen 0.54-0.99 (5,7,9) right side plank (RSP) 0.74-
0.78 and left side plank (LSP) 0.91-0.96 (7,8) in healthy adult populations with and without 
low back pain (LBP). 
Core endurance may be affected by different factors. Correia et al. (10) found that core 
muscle activity of people who experience LBP is delayed, which may lead to further 
dysfunction and pain. It is unclear, though, if reduced core muscle endurance affects LBP 
experience or the risk of its’ development.  
Another possible factor influencing the core muscle endurance is age. However, the 
results in the older general population are contradicting (mean age values of 37–47.95) (11,12) 
due to possible influence of participants’ lifestyle, work, and selected endurance tests. We are 
living in an aging society and further investigation should be carried out to reject or confirm 
this possible connection. 
As a result of aging, a healthy person loses 1–2% of the muscle mass (13–15) and put 
on 0.45kg fat every year after reaching the age of 40 (16,17). An increase in BMI has been 
associated with reduced core muscle endurance (18-20). However, physical activity may 
reduce these changes and account for different results of previous studies. 
The purpose of this study was to investigate a possible correlation between core muscle 
endurance and participants’ age in healthy adult population. The secondary purpose was to 
identify other dependent variables influencing isometric core muscle endurance (e.g. low back 
pain, physical activity, gender, body mass index). 
48 (35 females, 13 males) healthy adults (aged 21–66 years) will perform 4 isometric core 
muscle endurance tests- Biering-Sorensen, McGill V-sit, right and left side plank. All 

participants will be divided into 2 age groups considering the physiological changes taking 
place during aging- <41 and >40.  
Guidelines suggest that to maintain a healthy lifestyle, adults aged between 18 and 65 
should do moderate-intensity aerobic physical activities for a minimum of 30 minutes, 5 times 
a week, or high-intensity aerobic activities 20 minutes, 3 times a week (21–24). Participants 
will also be divided based on the physical activity level- groups that meets national and 
international guidelines and a group that doesn’t. A correlation between core endurance and 
age, gender, low back pain (LBP), physical activity level (PAL), and body mass index (BMI) 
is calculated using Pearson’s correlation and Independent T-test on SPSS. It is a case control 
study, collecting both numerical and categorical data. 
 
 
 
 
 

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