The relationship between core endurance and upper extremity performance in sedentary collegiate males

Abstract

Core muscles contribute to general spine stabilization when the trunk is exposed to flexion and extension moments. It is thought that movements begin from the center of the body (called the “powerhouse” or “core”) and flow outward to the extremities, and a strong core strengthens the whole body. Few studies have examined the relationship between core endurance and upper extremity performance and most of the studies have been done in athletes. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between core endurance, and upper extremity performance in sedentary collegiate males. Sedentary collegiate males who had not suffered any orthopedic injury in the past year were enrolled the study. Core endurance (CE) was evaluated using Trunk Extensor Test, Bilateral Side Bridge Tests, and The Core Muscle Strength and Stability test. The results of the core endurance tests were compared with several upper extremity performance measurements: The Upper Quarter Y Balance Test (bilaterally in medial, inferolateral, and superolateral directions-UQYBT), Close Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUES test), medicine ball throws test (forward, reverse, right, and left in static and dynamic positions), hand grip strength, and Nelson hand reaction test. Eighty-three males were assessed during the study. Their mean age was 22.07 ± 1.89 year (range: 18–25) and mean body mass index was 23.77 ± 3.26 kg/m 2 (range: 17.67–36.11). We observed low correlations between the CE tests and UQYBT ( r range = 0.220 − 0.393, P < 0.05) but no correlations between the CE and hand grip strength and Nelson hand reaction test. CKCUES and medicine ball throws test (nondominant side in dynamic position) correlated with side bridge test, r = 0.279 and r = 0.240, respectively ( P < 0.05). The results of this study imply that the core endurance is related to the upper extremity performance in closed kinetic chain but not with open kinetic chain functions, where only distal extremity performance is present.