Lower Trunk Muscle Endurance and Core Testing: A Literature Review -

Abstract Introduction: Muscle endurance refers to ability of a muscle or group to repeatedly move against a sub maximal resistance. Lack of endurance of trunk muscles has been identified as a predictor of first-time occurrence of low back trouble in men. Core is considered as power house of body. It provides proper force distribution and maximum force generation in whole kinetic chain. So the purpose of this review study is to explore & asses the tests available for lower trunk muscle endurance & core muscle. Objectives: To review the literature that describes and evaluates the use lower back endurance & core muscle tests. Design: Review of literature Data collection: Relevant articles in English were retrieved through a search of MEDLINE and PubMed. Key search terms were lower back muscle endurance & core muscle assessment test. The principal criterion for inclusion was as follows: any study that discussed or tested lower trunk & core muscle endurance test. The tests used for rehabilitation protocol & test using stability ball related articles were excluded. Thirty-seven of the initial studies are included in this review. Data Synthesis: Recent research, meta analysis, clinical oriented first thirty literatures taken in the study. Results: So many different types of lower back endurance & core testing methods were found. Some of these procedures require special testing devices. Each muscle tests assessed for its reliability, normative data (gender specific, sports specific etc.) & its clinical significance. Conclusion: In present study we found tests which are highly reliable, valid & also easy to asses abdominal & core muscle endurance. As they do not require any equipment nor extended periods of time to perform and would appear to be more clinically useful. Clinicians also need same tests which will allow them to evaluate a patient’s ability to perform low force repetitive type tasks that are more indicative of real world occupational duties.