Reference values of static back extensor muscle endurance in healthy Nigerian adults.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to establish gender and age reference values of static back extensor muscle endurance in healthy Nigerian adults.


METHODS
This study involved 373 consecutive participants aged between 21 and 60 years who were grouped into four age strata. A modification of the Sørensen test of Static Muscular Endurance (BSME) was used to quantify static endurance. The mean, standard deviation, range and 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile scores were determined for four gender/age categories.


RESULTS
Endurance time differed significantly across the age groups (F = 47.286; p = 0.000). Males exhibited higher mean endurance than females (t = 2.583; p = 0.010). Using percentiles, 25th (poor endurance), 25th-75th (medium endurance) and >75th (good endurance) percentile were 72, 72-161, and >161-240 s, respectively, for males; and 64, 64-142, and >142-236 s, respectively, for females. There was an age and gender variation in the median values. The results suggest that the significant age and anthropometric differences between the categories of participants could contribute to endurance differences.


CONCLUSIONS
This study established a set of reference values for static back endurance in healthy Nigerians. These values can be used to compare a patient's score at intake or as an outcome measure in clinical practice.
Mbada
Chidozie Emmanuel
CE
Department of Physiotherapy, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. doziembada@yahoo.com
Ayanniyi
Olusola
O
Adedoyin
Rufus A
RA
D000328:Adult; D001415:Back / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D009549:Nigeria; D010807:Physical Endurance; D012016:Reference Values; D055815:Young Adult