BACKGROUND: Despite the popularity of core stabilization, there is limited evidence as to the relationship between performance on tests of isometric trunk muscle endurance and physical activity levels in adults.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between isometric trunk muscle endurance and physical activity related energy expenditure in healthy young adults.
METHODS: A total of 51 participants (24 female) participated in the study. Median age and body mass index were; 22 years (Min-max: 18-26 years) and 21.8 kg/m2 (Min-Max: 18.59-28.98 kg/m2), respectively. Participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Isometric trunk muscle endurance was assessed with holding times of isometric trunk flexor, extensor, and lateral side bridge tests. Collected data were summarized based on median and interquartile ranges. The Spearman's correlation test was used to ascertain the relationship between isometric trunk muscle endurance and physical activity related energy expenditure.
RESULTS: There were no gender differences in holding times of the trunk flexor and trunk extensor endurance tests (p> 0.05). Males showed higher endurance scores for side bridge test than females (p< 0.001). No difference was found in physical activity related energy expenditure between males and females. No correlation was observed between isometric trunk muscle endurance and physical activity related energy expenditure for either females or males (p> 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: According to our findings, trunk muscle endurance is not related to physical activity related energy expenditure in healthy young adults.
