The Relationship Between Familiarization And Duration Of The Prone Bridge Plank Performed On Different Surfaces

Abstract

Measuring familiarization of an exercise can be used to assess an individual’s prior experience and understanding before exercise completion. Evaluating the relationship between perceived familiarization of the prone bridge plank (PBP) with duration of exercise can be valuable for clinicians and practitioners as they progress individuals through variations of the frequently used core endurance exercise. PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between self-perceived familiarization using a modified visual analog scale (VAS) and duration of the PBP on 3 different surfaces. METHODS: Forty-one healthy asymptomatic individuals (19 male, 22 female, age = 23.22 ± 4.76 years, height = 170.41 ± 7.93 cm, weight = 68.95 ± 11.22 kg, IPAQ = 5536 ± 3275mets) completed the PBP first on a treatment table, then yoga mat, and finally a fitness ball. A VAS was used to assess the participants’ general familiarization prior to the PBP. Participants were instructed to hold the PBP on each surface for as long as possible for one repetition. A single investigator observed each task to ensure their body stayed parallel with the surface. Mean and standard deviation was calculated for duration of exercise (s) on each surface and overall familiarization using the VAS. Linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between familiarization and duration. RESULTS: Participants held the PBP for 106.53 ± 47.41 s on the table, 83.18 ± 31.31 s on the mat, and 58.29 ± 26.26 s on the fitness ball. A positive association was demonstrated between VAS familiarization (8.33 ± 1.37) and duration during the PBP on the table (R2 = .13, p = .019), yoga mat (R2 = .11, p = .036) and fitness ball (R2 = .10, p = .040). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that there was a positive but weak relationship between VAS familiarization and PBP duration on all 3 surfaces. Only one VAS score was used to assess familiarization of the PBP in general. There may be a disconnect between perceived familiarization and exercise progression which may impact the duration of the PBP as it is commonly modified. The modified VAS measuring familiarization alone is not enough to predict the duration of the PBP due to the variations of the exercise.