Isometric Core Muscle Endurance in Healthy Active and Non-active Working Age Populations

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate a possible correlation between core muscle endurance and participants' age in healthy adult population. Secondary purpose was to identify other dependent variables influencing isometric core muscle endurance (e.g. low back pain, physical activity, gender, body mass index). Methods: 48 (35 females, 13 males) healthy adults (aged 21-66 years) performed 4 isometric core muscle endurance tests- Biering-Sorensen, McGill V-sit, right and left side plank. A correlation between core endurance and age, gender, lower back pain (LBP), physical activity level (PAL), and body mass index (BMI) was calculated.

Detailed Description
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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. Since strength and endurance are key to keeping healthy as we age and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and European guidelines advocate them, this study aims to look at the 3 main measurements of core endurance namely flexor, extensor and lateral muscles, and the possible correlations with age, PAL, existence of LBP, BMI and gender. Each participant performed 4 isometric core endurance tests in the same order- 1. Biering-Sorensen, 2.-3. side plank on both sides, and 4. McGill V-sit. All participants were tested by the same tester to reduce potential differences in procedure and testing error. The four tests were each measured using a stopwatch and documented in seconds. Each participant was told the time they had reached during testing to improve their motivation. Pain during testing was documented. Based on the normative data of abdominal muscle endurance for young adults Null hypothesis (H0)- There is no significant difference in endurance tests for age, presence of LBP or PAL. Hypothesis (H1)- Any significant difference in endurance tests for age, presence of LBP or PAL are due to chance factors. This is a two-tailed hypothesis, as previous evidence shows conflicting results. Pearson's correlation and Independent T-test in SPSS (The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) were used to confirm or reject the possible correlations between the core muscle endurance and age, LBP, PAL, gender, BMI, and participants' job.

Official Title
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Isometric Core Muscle Endurance in Healthy Active and Non-active Working Age Populations

Conditions
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Physical Endurance

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: isometric core muscle endurance testing


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: aged 20-70 (working age population) healthy active and non-active with or without non-specific lower back pain Exclusion Criteria: all serious pathologies and diagnosis that could affect the ability to perform the tests safely including acute pain, neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular diseases, spinal pathologies (e.g. spondylitis, acute herniated disc, cauda equina, hypertension, epilepsy, tumour, previous fracture or surgery in trunk, structured deformity, osteoporosis) sudden change in health personal reasons severe pain during testing competing in any sports higher than amateur level

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Screening
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Other: healthy working age population<br>isometric core muscle endurance tests (McGill V-sit, Biering-Sorensen and sideplank) | Other: isometric core muscle endurance testing<br>* holding previously described isometric positions until fatigue<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Core Muscle Endurance | time in seconds after summing the results of all 4 tests | at the time of testing, in 1 hour | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Body Mass Index | weight(kg)/height(cm)2 Value under 18.5 is considered underweight, over 25 overweight, and over 30 obese. | during the time of testing, in 1 h | 
| Physical Activity Level Questionnaire | physical activity level based on national and international recommendations | at the time of testing, last 2 weeks | 
| Number of Participants Who Have Experienced Non-specific Lower Back Pain | categorical data, experience of nonspecific low back pain up to 6 months before the assessment | up to 6 months before the assessment | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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aging, lower back pain, physical activity level, body mass index, core muscle endurance, gender, McGill V-sit, Biering-Sorensen, sideplank