title: THE EFFICACY OF AN EIGHT-WEEK CORE STABILIZATION PROGRAM ON CORE MUSCLE FUNCTION AND ENDURANCE: A RANDOMIZED TRIAL.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Body armor is credited with increased survival rates in soldiers but the additional axial load may negatively impact the biomechanics of the spine resulting in low back pain. Multiple studies have found that lumbar stabilization programs are superior to generalized programs for patients with chronic low back pain. It is not known if such programs produce objective changes in trunk muscle function with wear of body armor.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  An eight-week core stability exercise program would result in a larger improvement in physical endurance and abdominal muscle thickness than a control intervention. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of an eight-week core stability exercise program on physical endurance and abdominal muscle thickness with and without wear of body armor.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (N = 33) were randomized into either the core strengthening exercise group or the control group. Testing included ultrasound imaging of abdominal muscle thickness in hook-lying and standing with and without body armor and timed measures of endurance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were statistically significant group by time interactions for transversus abdominis muscle contraction thickness during standing, both with (p = 0.018) and without body armor (p = 0.038). The main effect for hold-time during the horizontal side-support (p = 0.016) indicated improvement over time regardless of group. There was a significant group by time interaction (p = 0.014) for horizontal side-support hold-time when compliance with the exercise protocol was set at 85%, indicating more improvement in the core stabilization group than in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Performing an eight-week core stabilization exercise program significantly improves transversus abdominis muscle activation in standing and standing with body armor. When compliant with the exercises, such a program may increase trunk strength and muscle endurance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapy, Level 2b.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army-Baylor University Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy, Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Carrie W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Hoppes
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army-Baylor University Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy, Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Aubrey D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Sperier
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army-Baylor University Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy, Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Colleen F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Hopkins
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army-Baylor University Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy, Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Bridgette D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army-Baylor University Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy, Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Molly F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Principe
authors.affiliation: Center for Performance & Clinical Research, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Barri L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Schnall
authors.affiliation: Center for Performance & Clinical Research, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Johanna C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army-Baylor University Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy, Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Shane L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Koppenhaver
keywords: Body armor; lumbar stabilization; transversus abdominis