Tests to Measure Core Stability in Laboratory and Field Settings: Reliability and Correlation Analyses

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Science

Background:

• Core stability (CS) is crucial for athletic performance and injury prevention.
• Numerous tests exist to assess CS, but their interrelationships and generalizability remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the relationships between five representative CS tests in laboratory and field settings.
• To examine the reliability of these selected CS tests.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-three recreationally active males performed five CS tests twice: Sudden Loading Test (SLT), Stable and Unstable Sitting Test (SUST), Biering-Sørensen Test (BST), 3-Plane Core Strength Test, and Double-Leg Lowering Test.
• Test reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and typical error.
• Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine relationships between reliable variables.

Main Results:

• Good reliability was found for stiffness and angular displacement in the SLT, dynamic unstable tasks in the SUST, and holding time in the BST (ICC: .63-.91).
• Few and low correlations were observed between the SLT, SUST, and BST.
• Significant correlations were found among dynamic unstable tasks within the SUST (r ≥ .807, P < .01), but not between loading directions in the SLT.

Conclusions:

• The limited correlations between different CS tests suggest that current measurements may not be generalizable.
• These tests likely assess different dimensions of core stability or distinct physical capacities, such as trunk extensor endurance (BST).
• Further research is needed to develop comprehensive and generalizable core stability assessment protocols.