title: The effect of abdominal strength or endurance exercises on abdominal peak torque and endurance field tests of healthy participants: A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effects of muscular endurance and resisted strengthening protocols on abdominal strength and endurance in a sample of young subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized Clinical Trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  University fitness laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  79 healthy subjects, (45 males and 34 females) aged 23.5 ± 5.8 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurements were taken at baseline and 12 weeks. Abdominal strength and endurance were evaluated using an isokinetic dynamometer (IKD) and four floor tests including the timed front plank (FP), angle sit (AS), sit-up (SU), and handheld dynamometer (HD).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multivariate analysis revealed no between group differences for the outcomes or group × time interaction (P = 0.52 and P = 0.31 respectively). The univariate within group analysis was significant for SU P = .001, HD rectus P = .007, HD oblique P = .005, and for the IKD peak eccentric torque P = .025.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A 12-week intervention program addressing endurance or strength did not produce between-group differences over a control group of routine activity maintenance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Youngstown State University, One University Plaza, Youngstown, OH 44555, USA. Electronic address: klearman@ysu.edu.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Learman
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Performance and Exercise Science, Youngstown State University, One University Plaza, Youngstown, OH 44555, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pintar
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Youngstown State University, One University Plaza, Youngstown, OH 44555, USA.
authors.forename: Alyson
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ellis
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D055070:Resistance Training; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019415:Torque; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Abdominal muscles; Muscle strength dynamometer; Resistance training