Effects of Core Stability Training on the Function and Control of Deep Stabilizing Muscles

This study investigates the effects of core stability training on the functionality and control of deep stabilizing muscles in healthy adults. Core stability exercises focus on strengthening the transversus abdominis and related core muscles to prevent and manage low back pain. Participants are randomly assigned to either the experimental group, performing core stability exercises on unstable surfaces such as a reformer, or the control group, performing aerobic exercises. Outcomes are measured by changes in muscle thickness and contraction time using rehabilitative ultrasound imaging, aiming to demonstrate the potential of core stabilization for enhancing spine support and reducing lower back pain.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Core Stability
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Core Stability Training; Behavioral: Aerobic Exercise

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 60
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Korea, Republic of
  • Gangwon-do
    • Wonju, Gangwon-do, Korea, Republic of, 26495
      • Department of Physical Therapy, Kyungdong University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged between 20 and 29 years
• Healthy adults who can understand and complete the planned training program
• Individuals who have signed informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals with balance disorders due to orthopedic or neurological conditions
• Those with cardiopulmonary diseases
• Individuals who have undergone surgery within the past 6 months
• Persons with other physical disabilities that could interfere with the study
• Individuals who have participated in similar studies recently
• Pregnant individuals

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Control Group; This group participates in aerobic exercise sessions as a comparative intervention. Participants engage in a 50-minute session three times per week over eight weeks. The exercise includes warm-up, a main session (walking at a controlled intensity), and cool-down, with intensity levels adjusted over time to match cardiovascular improvements.	Behavioral: Aerobic Exercise; Participants in this group engage in aerobic exercise sessions that consist of warm-up, controlled-intensity walking, and a cool-down phase. This intervention serves as a comparative baseline, aiming to improve cardiovascular endurance without specifically targeting core stability. The aerobic routine is adjusted over time to increase exercise intensity, conducted three times per week for eight weeks, with each session lasting 50 minutes.
Experimental: Core Stability Training Group; This group receives core stability training aimed at strengthening deep stabilizing muscles, including the transversus abdominis, to improve lumbar support and control. Participants perform a 50-minute session three times per week over eight weeks, focusing on exercises using unstable surfaces like the Pilates reformer to enhance proprioception and core engagement.	Behavioral: Core Stability Training; Participants in this group undergo core stability training sessions targeting deep stabilizing muscles. The exercises are designed to enhance spinal support and core control by activating the transversus abdominis and other core muscles. Sessions involve the use of a Pilates reformer and other unstable surfaces, fostering proprioceptive engagement and improved muscle coordination. Training is conducted three times per week for eight weeks, with each session lasting 50 minutes.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Thickness of Deep Stabilizing Muscles	The thickness of the core stabilizing muscles, including the rectus abdominis, transversus abdominis, internal oblique, and external oblique, is measured using rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI). For this assessment, a 10 MHz linear probe or a 3.5 MHz convex probe is positioned 2.5 cm lateral to the umbilicus while the participant lies in a supine position. The measurement captures the distance between the upper and lower fascial layers of each muscle, providing an indication of muscle thickness. Three measurements are taken, and the median value is used in analysis.	Baseline and 8 weeks after the intervention
Contraction Time of Deep Stabilizing Muscles	This measure assesses the contraction time of deep stabilizing muscles, specifically during a hollowing exercise where the participant engages the transversus abdominis and other abdominal muscles. Using rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI), the probe is positioned 2.5 cm lateral to the umbilicus to observe muscle activation. Contraction time is recorded as the duration from the onset of muscle activation to full contraction. Measurements are taken three times, with the median value used for analysis.	Baseline and 8 weeks after the intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Kyungdong University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 4, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 10, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): January 10, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 1, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 1, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): November 4, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 14, 2025
• Last Verified: January 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Rehabilitation; Core Stability; Muscle Activation; Deep Stabilizing Muscles
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2024-05-013

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No