Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT04209335

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

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.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Physical Endurance Back Pain Behavior Coitus Low Back Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Sexual Behavior Signs and Symptoms

Age range

20 year–70 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Salford

Manchester, Salford, M6 6PU, United Kingdom

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

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

Treatment and study plan

isometric core muscle endurance testing

Other

holding previously described isometric positions until fatigue

Primary outcomes

  1. Core Muscle Endurance

    Time frame: at the time of testing, in 1 hour

    time in seconds after summing the results of all 4 tests

Secondary outcomes

  1. Body Mass Index

    Time frame: during the time of testing, in 1 h

    weight(kg)/height(cm)2 Value under 18.5 is considered underweight, over 25 overweight, and over 30 obese.

  2. Physical Activity Level Questionnaire

    Time frame: at the time of testing, last 2 weeks

    physical activity level based on national and international recommendations

  3. Number of Participants Who Have Experienced Non-specific Lower Back Pain

    Time frame: up to 6 months before the assessment

    categorical data, experience of nonspecific low back pain up to 6 months before the assessment

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Hanna Holmberg

Other

Collaborators

  • University of Salford

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2019
First posted
Dec 24, 2019
Registry last updated
Mar 23, 2020

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.