Core stabilisation test

[bencker]

Hi everybody, I´m a physiotherapy student from Sweden who are soon about to begin my last term. We are about to do our exam work and we have chosen to write about if *healthy* young people with non diagnosed lbp gets better core stability and/or balance by training on a balance plate(?) and on a swiss ball.

Our big problem is to find a instrument that you can use to measure core stability in a good way.

If someone knows a test or have a good standardized way to test this I hope you can tell me..

/Marcus Bencker

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[alophysio]

Hi - nice topic but i think worded a little unclear - i understand that you are from sweden so i completely understand...I can only speak ONE language!!

Well, the first question is "what exactly is meant by core stability"?

If you can answer that question first, then you can answer "how do i measure it".

To most people, "core stability" means the ability to activate the "core muscles" - whatever they are - at the appropriate time at the appropriate force in the appropriate way.

You mention doing this paper on "undiagnosed LBP". If it is undiagnosed, how do you know if the "core stability" is the issue? Maybe it is not core stability that is the problem but a bulging disc. Or a massive sprain of their facet joint. Or a spondylolithesis. You are assuming that they need "better core strength" simply because they have back pain. It is common for people to think that it is "core weakness" in this situation that leads to these problems - but it is not always so. Sometimes people have hypertonic transversus abdominis or pelvic floor. They have poor motor control.

So, to answer your question, a validated test for "core stability" may be the Active Straight Leg Raise Test. You will find the Mens and O'Sullivan have done research in this area but for a different population group to yours. The PubMed search under "Active Straight Leg Raise Test" revealed these results - click here.

Also, Diane Lee and LJ Lee speak more about the ASLR test in "The pelvic girdle - 3rd edition".

Other researchers you may be interested in to do with "Core Stability" would be:
* Paul Hodges
* Peter O'Sullivan
* Carolyn Richardson
* Julie Hides
* Mens
* Vleeming

For a good reference list, go to Diane Lee's website or LJ Lee's website.

I love this stuff and i think you will too! Happy hunting!