Endurance times for low back stabilization exercises: clinical targets for testing and training from a normal...

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology
• Musculoskeletal Health
• Clinical Assessment Tools

Background:

• Spine stabilizing musculature is crucial for functional movement and injury prevention.
• Quantification of isometric endurance in trunk muscles is increasingly important for clinical evaluation.
• Establishing normative data for trunk muscle endurance is essential for setting rehabilitation goals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine isometric endurance holding times for torso extensors, flexors, and lateral flexors in healthy young adults.
• To establish the ratios between these muscle group endurance times.
• To provide data for clinical assessment and rehabilitation targets.

Main Methods:

• Isometric endurance tests were performed by 75 healthy young adults (31 men, 44 women).
• Four tests measured endurance times for torso extensors, flexors, and lateral flexors (side bridge).
• Test-retest reliability was assessed over 8 weeks.

Main Results:

• Women demonstrated longer torso extensor endurance times than men.
• Men showed higher endurance ratios for lateral flexors relative to their extensor and flexor times compared to women.
• The tests exhibited high reliability (reliability coefficients >.97).

Conclusions:

• Significant sex-based differences exist in the endurance profiles of spine stabilizing muscles.
• Normative data for trunk muscle endurance times and ratios are valuable for clinical practice.
• These findings support the use of quantified endurance measures for patient evaluation and setting training targets.