Ipsilateral versus contralateral static endurance- balance abilities among healthy college students

This study sought to determine the association and the difference, if any, between the levels of the contralateral and between the levels of the ipsilateral sides during static endurance-balance exercise.

One hundred twelve healthy active- college students (55 females and 57 males) participated in this cross-sectional study. Each participant performed the contralateral (raising one arm and opposite-side leg) quadruped bird dog exercise and balanced in static condition. Side bridge exercise was performed from lying on your side then engaging your core muscles and lifting your upper body and hips off the ground, maintaining a straight line and holding this position as long as tolerated.

Wilcoxon signed rank test showed significant difference (p = 0.004) between the contralateral right and left quadruped bird dog but insignificant difference (p = 0.059) between the ipsilateral right and left side bridge endurance-balance exercises. Mann-Whitney U test showed that the holding time was significant across gender for the contralateral but was insignificant for the ipsilateral endurance-balance exercise. Mann-Whitney U test was insignificant (p > 0.05) between those being recreationally active or inactive. Kruskal-Wallis test revealed insignificant difference between body mass index categories. Spearman's rho correlation coefficient showed strong positive correlation equals 0.85 and 0.75 (p < 0.001) of the contralateral quadruped bird dog and the ipsilateral side bridge exercises respectively.

A significant difference was observed for contralateral, while no significant difference was found for ipsilateral endurance-balance abilities. Therefore, clinicians and rehab specialist should consider these findings when assessing the endurance-balance abilities to properly devise appropriate exercise progression of different trunk stabilizers.