Evaluation of Dynamic Endurance of Back Extensors in Asymptomatic College Girls: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Prolonged sitting and reading can leads to reduced activity of trunk extensors and shown to be related to provoke back pain in near future among students. Various tests are used to evaluate the strength and endurance of abdominal and back extensors muscles which helps therapist in assessment, diagnosis and prognosis. This study evaluates endurance of the trunk extensor group of muscles using Repetitive Arch Up Test (RAUT) among college going students. Aims: The aim of this study is to check the endurance of trunk extensor group of muscles in 19-23 years old female students studying in college. Material & Methodology: This is a cross-sectional observational study done on 30 female participants between age group of 19-23 years studying for more than 8 hours in sitting position at one physiotherapy college. Repetitive Arch Up Test (RAUT) was used to measure endurance of back extensors. Data was collected and statistical analysis was done. Results: The collected Data showed that, the mean and SD of RAUT is 22.73 ± 9.896, which suggest that there was significant reduction in the endurance of lumbar spine extensors in the undergraduate physiotherapy students attending lectures for 8 hours/day,6 days/week. Conclusion: The present study concluds that, the trunk extensor endurance is markedly reduced in undergraduate physiotherapy students who currently do not have back pain. But if not treated can lead to risk of developing low back pain in future. Keywords: Back muscle endurance, College students, Repetitive Arch-up test.