Effects of Core Exercises on Balance in People With and Without ACL Surgery

Comparison of the Effects of Core Stabilization Exercises on Balance and Trunk Endurance in Individuals With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Surgery and Healthy Individuals.

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the effects of an 8-week core stabilization exercise program on balance, trunk muscle endurance, and lower body strength.

The study includes two groups of participants: 15 individuals who have had Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery and 15 healthy individuals. Both groups will perform the same core stabilization exercises for 8 weeks, twice a week, under the supervision of a physiotherapist.

The goal is to determine if this exercise program improves balance and core strength in people who have had ACL surgery and to compare these results with those of healthy individuals performing the same exercises.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Core Stabilization Exercise Program

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 30
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Fatih
    • Istanbul, Fatih, Turkey (Türkiye), 34093
      • Bezmialem Vakif University Faculty of Medicine Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria

• Aged between 18 and 65 years.
• Agreement to participate regularly in the 8-week exercise program.
• No contraindications to physical activity, as assessed by a medical professional.
• ACLR group: history of unilateral ACL reconstruction within the past five years.
• Control group: no known history of lower extremity injury or surgery.

Exclusion Criteria

• Any musculoskeletal or neurological condition affecting balance or core stabilization.
• Participation in a structured core stabilization exercise program within the previous six months.
• Any acute injury or systemic disease that may interfere with study participation.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Non-Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: ACL Reconstruction Group; Participants in this arm are individuals who have undergone unilateral Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery within the last 5 years. These participants will receive a core stabilization exercise program for 8 weeks, with supervised sessions held twice per week. The exercise program includes movements such as the Hundreds, clam exercise, plank, side plank, dead bug, and bridging.	Behavioral: Core Stabilization Exercise Program; Participants receive a supervised core stabilization exercise program for a duration of 8 weeks. Sessions are conducted twice per week by a physiotherapist. The program includes a set of standardized exercises such as the Hundreds, clam exercise, plank, side plank, dead bug exercise, curl-ups, and bridging.
Active Comparator: Healthy Control Group; Participants in this arm are healthy individuals with no known history of lower extremity injury or surgery. This group is matched to the ACL Reconstruction Group. These participants will also receive the same core stabilization exercise program for 8 weeks, with supervised sessions held twice per week, to serve as a comparison group.	Behavioral: Core Stabilization Exercise Program; Participants receive a supervised core stabilization exercise program for a duration of 8 weeks. Sessions are conducted twice per week by a physiotherapist. The program includes a set of standardized exercises such as the Hundreds, clam exercise, plank, side plank, dead bug exercise, curl-ups, and bridging.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Dynamic Balance as Measured by the Y-Balance Test	The Y-Balance Test (YBT) is used to assess dynamic postural control. Participants stand on one leg at the center of a grid and reach with the other leg as far as possible in three directions: anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral. The maximum reach distance in each direction is recorded in centimeters. A higher score indicates better dynamic balance.	Baseline and 8 weeks
Change in Trunk Muscle Endurance as Measured by the McGill Core Endurance Tests	Trunk muscle endurance is assessed using the McGill Core Endurance Test battery, which consists of four tests: a trunk flexor endurance test, a trunk extensor endurance test (Sorenson test), and right and left lateral trunk muscle endurance tests (side bridge). The time in seconds that a participant can hold each specific position without losing the correct form is recorded. A longer time indicates greater endurance.	Baseline and 8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Biruni University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 22, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 23, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): September 23, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 26, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 26, 2025
• First Posted (Estimated): January 9, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): January 12, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 9, 2026
• Last Verified: January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: 2023/361

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