Online-Delivered Core Stability Exercises in Postpartum Women

Effects of Online-Delivered Core Stability Exercises on Postural Control and Trunk Endurance in Postpartum Women

This study will examine a 12-week online core stability program for postpartum women, where participants will complete supervised sessions three times per week and will be compared with an education-only group. The intervention group will participate in supervised, real-time sessions via a video-conferencing platform, three times per week for 12 weeks. Exercises combine isometric and dynamic core stability tasks, progressing in difficulty over time. Dynamic postural control will be assessed using the lower quarter Y-Balance Test (YBT-LQ), while trunk endurance will be measured using the flexor endurance, extensor endurance, and side bridge tests.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Postpartum; Postural Stability; Trunk Muscle Endurance
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: online core stability exercise group; Other: an education-only control group

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Nadia Radwan, PHD; Phone Number: +966561728094; Email: nadiaradwan18@yahoo.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. singleton pregnancy;
2. medically uncomplicated delivery;
3. clearance from a healthcare provider to participate in low- to moderate-intensity exercise;
4. self-reported difficulties with trunk endurance, balance, or early fatigue during daily activities.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. unresolved obstetric complications;
2. severe pelvic floor dysfunction requiring specialized medical management; (3) neurological or musculoskeletal conditions affecting balance

(4) participation in structured core training more than once per week during the previous three months.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Online core stability exercise group; Participants in the intervention group will be engaged in an online-delivered core stability exercise program. Sessions will be conducted via a secure video-conferencing platform three times per week, with each session lasting 40-50 minutes. The exercise program will integrate both isometric and dynamic core stability tasks targeting the trunk flexors, extensors, lateral flexors, and hip musculature. Foundational exercises will include modified curl-up, bird-dog, side bridge, plank variations, and supine bridge. Dynamic components will incorporate controlled limb movements, diagonal patterns, and unstable support surfaces when appropriate. Exercise intensity and complexity will be progressively increased by adjusting lever length, base of support, repetition volume, and hold duration, while emphasizing proper breathing and pelvic floor engagement.	Other: online core stability exercise group; The intervention group participated in supervised, real-time sessions via a video-conferencing platform, three times per week for 12 weeks.
Experimental: An education-only control group; Participants in the control group will receive standard postpartum education delivered online once every two weeks over the 12 weeks. Education sessions will focus on general postpartum health, infant care, sleep hygiene, and psychological well-being, but will not include structured or supervised exercise. Control participants will be advised to maintain their usual daily activities and will not be restricted from engaging in light, unsupervised physical activity as recommended by their healthcare providers.	Other: an education-only control group; Participants in the control group received standard postpartum education delivered online once every two weeks over the 12-week period.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Dynamic Postural Control	The lower quarter Y-Balance Test (YBT-LQ) will be used to assess dynamic postural control of the lower extremity. Participants will perform maximal reach in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions while maintaining single-leg stance on a standardized YBT device or equivalent setup. Reach distances are normalized to leg length, and a composite score is calculated as the sum of the three directions divided by three times leg length, multiplied by 100.	12 weeks
Trunk endurance	Trunk endurance will be evaluated using three standardized tests: (a) the flexor endurance test (time holding a seated trunk flexion position against gravity); (b) the extensor endurance test (time maintaining the torso in a horizontal position in prone with the pelvis supported); and (c) the side bridge test (time maintaining a side plank position on each side). All endurance times will be recorded in seconds, with longer durations indicating better endurance.	12 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Thabet, A.A.; Alshehri, M.A. Efficacy of deep core stability exercise program in postpartum women with diastasis recti abdominis: A randomised controlled trial. J. Musculoskelet. Neuronal Interact. 2019, 19, 62. 34. Stuge, B.; Lærum, E.; Kirkesola, G.; Vøllestad, N. The efficacy of a treatment program focusing on specific stabilizing exercises for pelvic girdle pain after pregnancy: A randomized controlled trial. Spine 2004, 29, 351-359. Wallace, J.; Raglin, J.; Jastremski, C. Twelve month adherence of adults who joined a fitness program with a spouse vs without a spouse. J. Sports Med. Phys. Fitness 1995, 35, 206-213. 41. Jarvis-Selinger, S.; Chan, E.; Payne, R.; Plohman, K.; Ho, K. Clinical telehealth across the disciplines: Lessons learned. Telemed. J. e-Health 2008, 14, 720-725. 42. Peng, X.; Su, Y.; Hu, Z.; Sun, X.; Li, X.; Dolansky, M.A.; Qu, M.; Hu, X. Home-based telehealth exercise training program in Chinese patients with heart failure: A randomized controlled trial. Medicine 2018, 97, e12069

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 21, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 28, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 1, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 1, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 28, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: RHPT/026/003

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No