Trunk Flexion Test Research Articles

Diurnal variation and weekly pattern on physical performance in Tunisian children

Summary Aim To study was to investigate the effects of the time-of-day and the day-of-test on the physical performances in Tunisian children. Materials and methods The protocol involved 132 children (age: 10 ± 0.7 years) who performed four physical tasks, i.e., the Push-ball with both hands-test, the Jump long jump-test, the trunk flexion-test, and the Shuttle run-test 10 × 5 m, respectively at 09:00 and 16:00 h, over six days of the week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday), to evaluate respectively the explosive force of arms, explosive leg strength, the flexibility of the trunk, and the speed. Resting oral temperature was measured at the beginning of each test session. Results The results showed a significant time-of-day effect on physical performances. All physical performances were better in the afternoon (16:00 h) than the morning (09:00 h). In addition, our results displayed a significant day-of-test effect on all physical tasks with better performances in the middle of the week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) and worst outcomes in the beginning (Monday) and the end of the week (Friday and Saturday). Likewise, core temperature was time-of-day dependent with highest values observed at 16:00 h. However, the profiles of the rhythms of core temperatures and physical performances were not the same. Conclusion Therefore, the afternoon is the best time to administrate new physical learning and the afternoons of the middle of the week seems to be the optimal time for physical competition in Tunisian children.

Relación del autoconcepto con la condición física y la composición corporal en una muestra de adolescentes

The aim of this study is to analyse the relationship between self-concept and several variables of physical fitness, as well as the body fat percentage. The participants in the study were 283 teenagers from the city of Malaga (Spain), whose age ranged between 14 and 16 years old (M = 15.14; SD = .76). The “Autoconcepto Forma 5” questionnaire (AF5) was used to evaluate the multidimensional self-concept (academic, social, emotional, physical, and family self-concept). Moreover, the body fat percentage was measured by means of a bioelectrical impedance analysis. The Course-Navette test was used to assess the maximal oxygen consumption. Other measured variables were the time to run 50 metres, the distance jumped horizontally, and the range of movement (by means of a deep trunk flexion test). The linear regression and correlation analysis highlighting that the variables which have the strongest association with self-concept are the body fat percentage and the maximal oxygen consumption. Besides, physical and emotional dimensions are those that have been predicted with a higher percentage of explained variance.

Age and Gender-Related Differences in Physical Functions of the Elderly Following One-Year Regular Exercise Therapy

Reports on physical functions during maintenance period of the elderly with cardiac and other serious diseases are limited. This study aims to clarify age and gender-related differences in their physical functions. Participants included 167 elderly individuals (males, 78; mean age, 76.5 years; SD = 6.0 years; females, 89; mean age, 75.5 years; SD = 4.5 years) who participated in a 1-year regular exercise therapy twice a week. The following eight physical function tests were selected: grip strength, 10-m obstacle walking time, one-legged balance with eyes open, sit-ups, sitting trunk flexion, 6-min walk, stepping by sitting position, and a timed up & go (TUG). Two-way analysis of variance was used to examine mean differences by gender and age: young elderly group (aged 65 - 74 years) and old elderly group (aged ≥ 75 years). In the grip strength, sit-ups, 6-min walk, 10-m obstacle walking time, stepping by sitting position, and sitting trunk flexion tests, males were superior in the former four tests, and females were superior in the latter two tests. The young elderly group was superior in all tests except for sit-ups compared with the old elderly group. The balance during one-legged with eyes open test was superior in males compared with females in the young elderly group, but decreased in males in the old elderly group. In conclusion, physical functions of the elderly during maintenance period are different between genders. Muscle strength, muscle endurance, whole-body endurance, and walking ability are superior in males, whereas flexibility and agility are superior in females. The old elderly group was inferior in all the elements of physical function except muscle endurance.

스위스 볼을 이용한 요부안정화 운동이 근력과 유연성 및 균형에 미치는 영향

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Swiss ball lumbar stabilization exercise on the strength and flexibility, balance for the subjects. 30 university students who aged an average <TEX>$23.21{\pm}4.41$</TEX> years. Methods : The exercise program lasted for 4 weeks with a frequency of 3 times per week within 12 to RPE. The result was analyzed by case study were measured by sit-up for strength, and back muscle strength, and trunk flexion test and trunk extension lifting for flexibility, and also measured by balance test before and during, and after the Swiss ball exercise program. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS/Win(15.0) version and t-test. Results : By the result of this study, we found that the number of performing sit-up strength was increased, and back muscle strength was increase, and trunk flexion test and trunk extension lifting was increased after the 4 weeks Swiss ball exercise program. Conclusion : These finding indicate that Swiss ball lumbar stabilization exercise using Swiss ball could be beneficial to the subjects. The effect of increasing strength and flexibility, balance was flexibility.

Muscular Fitness in Relation to Physical Activity and Television Viewing among Young Adults

To study how time spent in physical activity and that in television (TV) viewing are associated with muscular fitness among young adults. The study population consisted of a cross-sectional sample of 381 males and 493 females aged 19.1 yr (SD 0.3) from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986. Muscular fitness was measured by trunk muscle strength tests (trunk extension, flexion, and rotation) and jumping height test. Time spent on moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity and on TV viewing was self-reported by a questionnaire. The most physically active young adults performed significantly better in most trunk muscle strength tests and the jumping test than the least active subjects. The mean difference between the most and least active groups was at minimum 1.6 kg (95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.5 to 3.7) and at maximum 10.6 kg (95% CI = 4.7-16.5) for different trunk muscle strength tests and at minimum 4.4 cm (95% CI = 2.7-6.1) for the jumping height test. Males and females who watched TV for >or=2 h x d(-1) performed significantly worse in trunk extension and flexion tests and females also performed worse in the jumping test compared with those who watched TV <2 h x d(-1), independent of their physical activity level. The mean difference between low and high TV users was at minimum -3.8 kg (95% CI = -6.7 to -0.9) for trunk extension and flexion strength and -1.2 cm (95% CI = -2.0 to -0.4) for jumping height in females. Among young adults, daily TV viewing for >or=2 h, irrespective of physical activity level, was associated with poorer muscular fitness.

Evolutividad de la capacidad flexora según el sexo y el nivel de enseñanza

Flexibility is one of the basic physical qualities that are worked on both in elementary and secondary education but not at the university stage. Of the four basic physical qualities, flexibility is the only quality that progressively diminishes with age.We selected a sample of 410 subjects (42% males vs. 58% females) aged 6 to 30 years old from Granada and Almería. To collect data, the deep trunk flexion test was used, establishing that the mean flexibility among the sample was 22.25 cm. By gender, females (X = 22.82 cm) were more flexible than males (X = 21.46 cm). The highest flexor capacity values were achieved between the ages of 10 and 11 years, with these values steadily decreasing with age. Consequently, the highest peaks of flexibility were found in primary education (24.98 cm) while the lowest values were found in university education (19.50 cm).Finally, as reported in the literature consulted, the results of this study found that average flexibility decreases with age.

Measuring and managing pain and performance

Pain and movement dysfunction are invariant sensory and motor expressions of health disorders. They are also complex, inter-related problems and may be accompanied by fatigue and depressed mood. Optimum management is predicated on the appropriate selection, application and interpretation of assessment measures. Research on pain and physical function using physical performance tests has shown that regardless of whether pain and impairment is a consequence of musculo-skeletal injury or systemic disease such as cancers, pain-free individuals outperform those with pain in terms of movement speed and endurance ability across a variety of performance tests (e.g. walk and reach tests, and repeated sit-to-stand and trunk flexion tests). Slow movements are characterized by fractionated and extraneous movement patterns. They are also associated with a relatively high level of muscle activity (amplitude and duration) throughout the task compared to fast movements. Slow movements are also relatively inefficient in terms of physiological energy and time burden. For a similar level of effort, individuals with pain are able to perform significantly less work. Our research has shown that individuals with pain move slower across a range of self-selected movement speeds i.e. slow, preferred and fast speeds. It is also apparent that patients systematically over estimate expected pain during task performance at faster speeds. Preliminary work using speed targeted treatment shows promise in terms of improving physical performance and reducing the burden of illness and physical dysfunction.

Agonist/Antagonist Trunk Muscle Co-Activation During Fatiguing Isometric Contractions

0817 PURPOSE: To examine agonist/antagonist trunk muscle co-activation and perceived exertion (RPE) during fatiguing isometric contractions. METHODS: Eighteen healthy young adults (8 men, 10 women) were evaluated for peak isometric trunk flexion and extension torque (PT), in a seated position. Subjects subsequently performed separate, sustained trunk flexion and extension isometric contractions at 80% of PT to failure. Electromyographic (EMG) activity was measured over the external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), rectus abdominis (RA), and the lumbar paraspinal (L1, L2, and L3) muscles. The EMG signal during the 80% contraction was normalized to the EMG of the PT. RPE's were sampled with a modified Borg CR-10 scale every 5 seconds during each sustained contraction. RESULTS: Subjects maintained the isometric contraction significantly longer in trunk extension than flexion (36.3 ± 17.7 vs. 25.5 ± 12.9 seconds, p = 0.012). A significant increase (p = 0.02) in lumbar paraspinal EMG activity was observed during the 80% trunk extension, in which overall activity at the L1 level was greater than the L2 and L3 levels (p<0.001). Abdominal muscle EMG activity increased significantly (p<0.001) during the trunk flexion test, in which no differences were observed between muscles. A significant increase in abdominal muscle activity was observed during the trunk extension test (p = 0.004), where IO muscle EMG was significantly greater than the EO and RA muscles (p = 0.004). Lumbar paraspinal EMG increased significantly during the trunk flexion test (p<0.001), while no differences were observed between the muscles. The exponent of the RPE power function was not significantly different (p = 0.163) between extension (0.28 ± 0.13) and flexion (0.36 ± 0.15) contractions. CONCLUSION: The major findings suggest that antagonist muscle recruitment during a fatiguing contraction parallels the EMG increase of the agonists, albeit at a lower amplitude. Despite findings of a greater endurance capacity of the trunk extensors, the perceived exertion response during fatigue development exhibits a similar nonlinear behavior between the two motions.

Agonist/Antagonist Trunk Muscle Co-Activation During Fatiguing Isometric Contractions

0817 PURPOSE: To examine agonist/antagonist trunk muscle co-activation and perceived exertion (RPE) during fatiguing isometric contractions. METHODS: Eighteen healthy young adults (8 men, 10 women) were evaluated for peak isometric trunk flexion and extension torque (PT), in a seated position. Subjects subsequently performed separate, sustained trunk flexion and extension isometric contractions at 80% of PT to failure. Electromyographic (EMG) activity was measured over the external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), rectus abdominis (RA), and the lumbar paraspinal (L1, L2, and L3) muscles. The EMG signal during the 80% contraction was normalized to the EMG of the PT. RPE's were sampled with a modified Borg CR-10 scale every 5 seconds during each sustained contraction. RESULTS: Subjects maintained the isometric contraction significantly longer in trunk extension than flexion (36.3 ± 17.7 vs. 25.5 ± 12.9 seconds, p = 0.012). A significant increase (p = 0.02) in lumbar paraspinal EMG activity was observed during the 80% trunk extension, in which overall activity at the L1 level was greater than the L2 and L3 levels (p<0.001). Abdominal muscle EMG activity increased significantly (p<0.001) during the trunk flexion test, in which no differences were observed between muscles. A significant increase in abdominal muscle activity was observed during the trunk extension test (p = 0.004), where IO muscle EMG was significantly greater than the EO and RA muscles (p = 0.004). Lumbar paraspinal EMG increased significantly during the trunk flexion test (p<0.001), while no differences were observed between the muscles. The exponent of the RPE power function was not significantly different (p = 0.163) between extension (0.28 ± 0.13) and flexion (0.36 ± 0.15) contractions. CONCLUSION: The major findings suggest that antagonist muscle recruitment during a fatiguing contraction parallels the EMG increase of the agonists, albeit at a lower amplitude. Despite findings of a greater endurance capacity of the trunk extensors, the perceived exertion response during fatigue development exhibits a similar nonlinear behavior between the two motions.

Optimal sagittal motion axis for trunk extension and flexion tests in chronic low back trouble

Objective. To find the optimal height for sagittal motion axis for trunk strength test in chronic low back trouble. Design. Cross-sectional study. Background. The strength of trunk muscles of low back pain patients is decreased. The measured strength depends on the height of the sagittal motion axis but the differences between patients and controls are not known. Methods. 114 (67 female) patients with chronic low back trouble are classified according to Quebec Task Force, 50 (31 female) patients with rheumatic disorder, but without low back trouble, and 33 (22 female) healthy controls, no appreciable physical differences but clear differences in Oswestry score. Isometric trunk extension-flexion test with different heights for the pelvic fulcrum. Results. Force decreased in extension, increased in flexion, and torque increased both in flexion and extension in every group ( P<0.001) as the fulcrum was moved caudally. The male controls were stronger than patients with low back trouble ( P<0.01). The female controls were stronger only if the fulcrum was set at the hip joint level ( P<0.05). There were no differences between patients with rheumatic disorder and low back trouble, except in extension if the fulcrum was at the hip joint level ( P<0.02). Conclusions. The rotation axis in trunk extension-flexion strength test should be set at the level of the hip joint. Relevance Trunk muscle weakness is a common sign of different rheumatic disorders. Proper setting of sagittal motion axis and concomitant measurement of trunk and hip extensor or flexor muscles increases the specificity of the strength test for low back trouble.

Development of muscular endurance and strength from adolescence to adulthood and level of physical capacity in men and women at the age of 34 years.

This study investigated the development of muscular endurance and strength from the age of 16 to the age of 34 and the fitness components at the age of 34 in men and women. A randomly selected group consisting of 220 boys and 205 girls was tested in 1974 and reinvestigated 18 years later. Muscular endurance and strength increased significantly in 4 of the 5 remeasured tests for the men; bench press increased by 58%, two-hand lift by 20%, hand grip by 16% and Sargent jump by 8%. For the women there was a significant increase in bench press and two-hand lift by 25% and 7% respectively, but hand grip and Sargent jump decreased with a few per cent. The hip and trunk flexion test, sit-up, decreased remarkably in both men (58%) and women (78%). At the age of 16 physical capacity was significantly higher in all tests in the men. This was also the situation at the age of 34 except for VO2 max in ml.kg-1.min-1 and muscular endurance in the back muscles. There were no differences in flexibility between men and women except for less flexibility in the hamstring muscles in the men. The result of the balance test was significantly better in the men.

Isokinetic and Non-Dynamometric Tests in Low Back Pain Patients Related to Pain and Disability Index

This study compared isokinetic and non-dynamometric tests for their correlation with subjective low back pain symptoms. A total of 185 patients with chronic low back pain were examined. The repetitive arch-up and sit-up tests correlated significantly with pain and disability (Million index) both in men and women (r ranged from -0.39 to -0.46; P < 0.001). In women, the isokinetic trunk flexion and extension tests and the non-dynamometric tests correlated equally well with the Million index. In men, the isokinetic flexion and extension tests had weaker correlations. Overall, the isokinetic lifting tests showed lower correlations than did the isokinetic trunk extension tests. In the isokinetic flexion and extension tests, fast testing speeds (120 degrees/sec and 150 degrees/sec) correlated somewhat better with the subjective symptoms than did the lowest speed (30 degrees/sec). The non-dynamometric tests are still useful in clinical practice in spite of the development of more accurate muscle strength evaluation methods.

Isokinetic strength testing in monitoring progress in a multidisciplinary work reentry program: A case study

The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of a patient with a history of low back pain and the use of isokinetic testing in tracking that patient through a work-reentry program. A 44-year-old male with a diagnosis of low back pain underwent a functional capacity evaluation and began a work-reentry program. Initial isokinetic testing revealed low torque outputs in both the trunk and knee flexion and extension tests as well as limited active range of motion. Coefficient of variation appeared to be relatively high and the patient seemed guarded in his movements during the testing. Psychological testing revealed a high fear of reinjury which may have influenced the initial test. Subsequent isokinetic testing performed on the tenth and twenty-fourth days of program and at 1 month post-program exhibited greater than expected increases in torque output. This could be due in part to a reduction in the fear of reinjury, a learning effect with repeated exposure to testing, and the patient's increased confidence in the use of unguarded movements. His trunk range of motion remained essentially the same throughout the serial testing. Pain in the back and left leg was slightly diminished despite an increase in strength and function.

Intra-abdominal Pressure and Trunk Muscle Activity During Lifting. III. Effect of Abdominal Muscle Training in Chronic Low-Back Patients

Isometric training of the abdominal muscles is often recommended in programs of primary or secondary prevention for low-back pain. In this study 20 male workers with 2-18 years' history (average 5 1/2 years) of low-back pain without sciatica went through intense isometric abdominal muscle training for 5 weeks. Before and after training the subjects had trunk flexion and extension strength tests and a series of standardized lifts. The intraabdominal pressure (IAP) and the EMG activity of the oblique abdominal muscles, and of the erector spinae muscle were recorded. It was found that: the strength of the abdominal muscles increased; the increased strength was correlated to an improved recruitment of motor units in the oblique abdominal muscles; the EMG activity of the oblique abdominal muscles when lifting decreased after training, i. e. the acquired ability to recruit more motor units was not made use of; the IAP at lifting was generally not affected. A better knowledge of the mechanisms responsible for the IAP in different situations is needed to support advice on training or other prevention.

Factor of Physical Fitness Test and Relationships with Physical Characteristics in Young Adult Females and Males

This study was made to investigate the factor of physical fitness test, which has been developed by the Ministry of Education and consists of seven different measurements such as side step, sargent jump, back strength, grips strength, trunk extension, trunk flexion and step test, and the validity of estimation for the total score of the tests from several physical characteristics. Physical fitness test, morphological and physiological characteristics were determined for 71 young adult females and males. Physical characteristics of three groups separated according to the fitness test were compared among groups and differences in the lean body mass and maximal oxygen uptake were found to be statistically significantt at 1% level between A and C group.The simple correlation coefficients between total score of the tests and measurement value of each test were observed to be highly significant except the cases of the trunk extension and flexion test. Principal component analysis of the seven test items disclosed that the seven items could be grouped into two kinds of the component, that is, the muscular performance tests such as grips strength, sargent jump and so on, and the flexibility tests as trunk flexion and extension.The lean body mass and maximal oxygen uptake highly correlated with the total score of the tests. Regression equations of the total score on the lean body mass or maximal oxygen uptake and on both of them weree calculated. We discussed the validity of the calculated total score as an index of physical fitness along the above regression equations from practical viewpoint.

An Electromyographic Investigation of the Rectus Abdominis in Abdominal Exercises

Abstract The upper and lower rectus abdominis (RA) were studied electromyographically through a series of 10 strenuous abdominal exercises and a trunk flexion isometric strength test. Intensity of contraction was greatest in the basket hang, followed by three variations of the hook sit-up. The curl-up and the inclined, arched back and conventional sit-ups came next in intensity, while the V-sit and controlled backward lean were the least strenuous exercises tested. In the upper RA several of the exercises elicited greater MAPs than were elicited by the maximal isometric effort involved in the trunk flexion test. The apparently strenuous nature of the basket hang, which is primarily a movement of thigh rather than trunk flexion, implies that this exercise may be useful in the abdominal training of highly conditioned athletes.

Physical Fitness of High School Students and Participation in Physical Education Classes

Abstract The AAHPER youth fitness test battery, a trunk flexion test, and trunk extension test were administered to 99% of the boys and girls in a senior high school (grades 9–12). The children in this school are required each term to enroll in five “solid” subjects and select one elective (physical education, band, chorus, or art). The relationship between the elective currently selected by the boys and girls and scores on the fitness test was studied. It was clear that boys and girls enrolled in physical education scored highest; those in band were next; and those in art or chorus had the poorest scores. Children were next grouped as to whether they had elected (a) physical education essentially all of their semesters in school, (b) about half of the semesters or (c) never elected physical education. In the case of the boys, the mean difference in fitness scores of those who had had 7 or 8 semesters of physical education (seniors) compared with age-matched boys who had never elected physical education w...