Comparison of Core Strength Training Using Stable Versus Unstable Surfaces

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study will address the scarcity of research and the variations in recommendations regarding core strengthening and stability programs. As physical fitness is a major concern of individuals and mostly people refer gym for fitness enhancement, this study will thus provide a guideline for effective core strength training program

Detailed Description
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Male clients, aged 19 to 44 years, coming to the gym for strength training will be purposively selected based on the inclusion criteria and then randomly assigned into two groups. They will undergo a series of pre-intervention tests that would assess their strength using Bourbon TMS and standing long jump tests; flexibility using stand and reach test; balance using Y balance test; coordination using jumping sideways test and speed using 20-m sprint test. After initial assessment, they will be advised and demonstrated for curl-up, side-bridging and quadrupled exercises. The experimental group will perform these exercises on Thera-Band© Exercise Ball while the control group will perform the same exercises on gym floor. The clients will have sessions on preferably the first day and 4th day of the week but is subject to their attendance at the gym. There will be interval assessments at 2nd and 4th week based on the tests mentioned above to record changes at these intervals. After 6 weeks of bi-weekly sessions, the clients will undergo post-intervention tests that will be the same as pre-intervention tests.

Official Title
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Comparison of Core Strength Training Using Stable Versus Unstable Surfaces On Strength, Flexibility, Balance, Coordination and Speed in Gym Members

Conditions
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Sports Physical Therapy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Core strength training using unstable surface
* Other: The stable surface would be gym floor.


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Male clients Male adults with age 19-44 years Regular gym attendance with at least two gym workout session per week Exclusion Criteria: Recent history of injury or illness Clients coming to gym for other exercises (endurance training, cardiovascular training)

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 19 Years
Maximum Age: 44 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

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: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Core strength training using unstable surface<br>The experimental group will use Core strength training using unstable surface | Other: Core strength training using unstable surface<br>* Training would include big 3 exercises as described by McGill. These include the curl-up, side bridge, and quadruped position on unstable surface<br>|
| Active Comparator: The stable surface would be gym floor.<br>The control group will use stable surface. | Other: The stable surface would be gym floor.<br>* Training would include big 3 exercises as described by McGill. These include the curl-up, side bridge, and quadruped position on stable gym Floor<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bourbon TMS test (core strength) | The Bourbon Trunk Muscle Strength(TMS) test is an economical measure for assessment of dorsal, ventral and lateral trunk muscle chains. | 6 to 8 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Stand-and-reach test (flexibility) | It is used for the measurement of spinal and pelvic flexibility. Excellent test-retest reliability has been reported for the stand-and-reach test with an ICC of 0.94. | 6 to 8 weeks | 
| 20-m sprint test (speed) | Maximum effort sprints will be assessed from a stationary start to a distance of 20 meters to assess the speed of participant. Excellent test-retest reliability has been reported for the hand stopped 20-m sprint test with an intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.90 variable | 6 to 8 weeks | 
| Jumping Sideways Test | The jumping sideways test evaluates motor coordination under time pressure. Excellent test-retest reliability has been reported for the jumping sideways test with an ICC of 0.89 | 6 to 8 weeks | 
| Y Balance Test | The lower quarter Y balance test is a dynamic test that requires subjects to maintain single leg stance while reaching as far as possible with the contralateral leg in 3 different movement directions (i.e., anterior, posteromedial, posterolateral). Excellent test retest reliability has been reported for the Y balance test in all 3 movement directions with ICC values ranging between 0.89 and 0.93. | 6 to 8 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Core Strength Training, Flexibility, Balance, Coordination, Speed