Effects Of Abdominal Bracing Maneuver During Walking On Trunk Muscle Endurance In Healthy Staff

Background: The Abdominal bracing maneuver is a core stability technique that involves consciously tightening the abdominal muscles to create intra-abdominal pressure. Trunk muscle endurance refers to the ability of torso muscles to maintain their position over an extended period without fatigue.

Objective: The main purpose of this study is to find the effect of Abdominal bracing maneuvers during walking on trunk muscle endurance in healthy individuals.

Methodology: A Randomized Control Trial (RCT) was conducted at Northwest Institute of Health Sciences Peshawar. Randomization was done by lottery method. A total 32 participants of aged 25 to 40 were assigned to Group A and Group B. Group A received abdominal bracing maneuvers with walking while Group B received walking only. Both groups received a total of 12 sessions. Pre and post-endurance was evaluated by using McGill’s Torso Muscular Endurance Test. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.

Results: The mean age of participants in Group A was 29.06 ± 5.14 years, while the mean age of participants in Group B was 27.62 ± 2.84 years. The mean and SD of the flexor endurance test between groups A and B after treatment were 27.37 ± 3.26 and 16.21 ± 2.24 respectively. A Significant difference was observed in flexor endurance between the two groups having P value =0.000 (P<0.05). Similarly, A significant difference was found in right and left lateral flexor endurance between the two groups (P<0.05). In contrast, no Significance difference was observed in extensor endurance between the two groups having P value =0.078795(P>0.05). Within-group analysis in Group A revealed a significance difference in pre-post of flexion, right and left lateral flexors and extensors(P<0.05). However, within-group analysis in Group B revealed statistical differences in flexors and lateral flexors endurance, although this difference is not clinically significant.

Conclusion: It was concluded that Abdominal bracing maneuver with walking compared with walking alone may improve the endurance of flexors, right and left lateral flexors of the trunk.