Core Stability in School-Aged Children

Purpose

The purpose of the research project was to implement a core strengthening program for school-aged children in the states of Arkansas and Kentucky. The program was used as a pilot to motivate an alternative strengthening program in attempt to promote awareness of postural control and injury prevention.

Methods

Fourth grade physical education classes from four schools in the state of Arkansas and one elementary school from the state of Kentucky were targeted for the program. A total of 335 children participated in the study. A core stability program was implemented during the first five minutes of every fourth grade physical education class (classes met twice a week). A pre-test, post-test design was conducted throughout the program. At the initial onset of testing participants performed a one minute sit-up test to obtain baseline measures. Every day following the sit-up test, the participants performed body weight core stability exercises. The core stability exercises consisted of 30 seconds of isometric holds. The physical education teachers were taught six core exercises and were instructed to have the students perform four exercises (holding 30 seconds each). Every six weeks the participants were post-tested with the one minute sit-up test. The core stability intervention continued throughout the course of the 2007-2008 academic school-year.

Analysis/Results

A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures design revealed a significant effect for the core stability treatment, F (5, 1000) = 20.50, p < .01. Contrasts showed that the baseline measure was significantly lower than any of the post treatment follow-up trials.

Conclusions

It is evident that the alternative form of core strengthening exercises did indeed improve core musculature endurance. Over time the children were able to continue to increase their performance on core muscular endurance. Research has shown that a lack in postural control often leads to overuse injuries (Wilson, Dougherty, Ireland, & Davis, 2005). With adequate insight, one can decrease the incident of many injuries through simple core stability exercises. The investigators were able to conclude that the implemented core stability program was enjoyable and beneficial for all children in addition to the fact that it was a no cost alternative program in which the children reported that they enjoyed much more than performing the typical sit-up exercises.

Wilson, JD, Dougherty, CP, Ireland, ML, & Davis, IM (2005). Core stability and its lower extremity function and injury. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 13, 316-325.