THE EFFICACY OF AN EIGHT-WEEK CORE STABILIZATION PROGRAM ON CORE MUSCLE FUNCTION AND ENDURANCE: A RANDOMIZED TRIAL

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology
• Military Medicine

Background:

• Body armor increases soldier survival but may cause spinal biomechanical issues and low back pain.
• Lumbar stabilization programs are more effective for chronic low back pain than general programs.
• Objective changes in trunk muscle function with body armor use are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess an eight-week core stability exercise program's effectiveness on physical endurance and abdominal muscle thickness.
• To evaluate these effects with and without body armor wear.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial with 33 participants.
• Participants were assigned to a core strengthening or control group.
• Ultrasound imaging assessed abdominal muscle thickness; timed measures evaluated endurance, with and without body armor.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in transversus abdominis muscle thickness during standing with and without body armor.
• Improvements in horizontal side-support hold-time over time, regardless of group.
• Higher improvements in the core stabilization group for side-support hold-time when exercise compliance was high.

Conclusions:

• An eight-week core stabilization program significantly enhances transversus abdominis muscle activation.
• This type of program can improve trunk strength and muscle endurance, particularly when performed with high compliance.
• Core stability exercises may mitigate negative biomechanical impacts of body armor.