A comparison of two isometric tests of trunk flexor endurance.
This study was performed to determine the test-retest reliability and the relationship between 2 tests of trunk flexor muscular endurance-a prone bridge and a modified V-sit. Hold times (in seconds) were measured on 60 healthy volunteers from a University community (17 men, 43 women). Both tests were performed at 1-week intervals. The test-retest reliability of each test was assessed with a subgroup of 10 participants during 3 additional testing sessions at 1-week intervals. One examiner collected all data. Intraclass correlation coefficients (2, 1) with the prone bridge were 0.95 and 0.71 with the modified V-sit. The mean hold time was 92.8 ± 44.4 seconds during the prone bridge and 141.7 ± 104.1 seconds during the modified V-sit. Pearson's correlation coefficients between the 2 tests ranged from r = 0.52 (men + women) to r = 0.87 (men only). Intersession reliability with a single examiner was higher with the prone bridge compared with that in the modified V-sit. Modifications to the V-sit resulted in a lower test-retest reliability than was previously reported. Correlations between prone bridge and modified V-sit test scores were low, which may be attributable to the differences in the level of trunk flexor muscle activation between the tests.
Physical Therapy Unit, Student Health Center, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA. durall.chri@uwlax.edu
Christopher J
CJ
Durall
Paul F
PF
Greene
Thomas W
TW
Kernozek
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors; D060726:Torso / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult