The Effect of Stretching and Core Exercise for 8 Weeks on Pelvic and Trunk Balance in Female University Students

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of stretching and core exercise for 8 weeks on pelvic and trunk balance. 15 college females were divided into a stretching group of 8 and a core exercise group of 7 in order to investigate the effects of an 8-week stretching and core exercise program on pelvic and trunk balance. We analyzed pelvic tilt, pelvic torsion and trunk imbalance at pre, post and 2 weeks after the exercise programs. There was a significant decrease in pelvic tilt at post and 2-week after exercise compared with pre exercise in both of the exercise groups. There was not a significant effect of the exercise programs on pelvic torsion. In trunk imbalance, we found a significant difference between pre exercise and 2 weeks after exercise in both of the exercise groups. There was not a significant difference between stretching group and core exercise group. In conclusion, this research suggests that both stretching and core exercise had a positive effect on pelvic and trunk balance by decreasing the pelvic tilt and trunk imbalance because stretching and core exercise improved the flexibility and strength of muscles and ligaments surrounding the pelvis and the spine.