Comparison of Isometric Endurance of Abdominal and Back Extensor Muscles in Manual and Sedentary Males in the Age Group of 20-40 Years

Background: Stabilization of trunk flexors and extensors are essential for normal lumbo-pelvic function. These muscles, known as “core muscles”, have a basic role in balance and coordination in sitting. The core is the lumbopelvic- hip complex which includes lumbar spine, pelvis, hips, and their respective musculature. Pattern of core activity changes in sitting and dysfunction of core muscles increased the risk of damage of the upper and lower extremities segments. Powerful core muscles support stabilizes the vertebra and pelvis, prevents balance disorder and decreases the rate of LBP which is one of the most prevalent occupational disorders. Endurance of trunk muscles depends on the life style and working condition of individuals. Imbalance in the trunk muscle endurance secondarily leads to back pain, which disables the person and reduces the functional capacity of individuals. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the difference in isometric endurance between abdominal and back extensor muscle in manual and sedentary workers and guide them about the importance of endurance training in preventing the back pain in the future. Materials and methods: This study includes 40 simple randomly sampled normal male subjects according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria in the age group of 20-40 years, recruited on voluntary basis and allotted to Group A (N=20, Manual workers) and Group B (N=20, Sedentary workers). Modified Kraus weber’s test for abdominal muscles and Modified Sorensen’s test for back extensor muscles were performed by both Group A and Group B in two successive trials for each test with a rest break of 3-5 minutes in between the trials and the best of trials in seconds is recorded with a stop watch and the data is analyzed using SPSS statistics software version 19. Results: The isometric abdominal muscles endurance is more in manual workers than the sedentary workers, at a significance level of p<0.005.The isometric endurance of back extensor muscles is more than isometric abdominal muscles in both the groups, at a significance level of p<0.005.The isometric back extensor muscles endurance is more in manual workers than in sedentary workers, at a significance level of p<0.005. Conclusion: The isometric abdominal muscles endurance is less in both the groups as compared to isometric back extensor muscles endurance. So, abdominal muscles should be concentrated during endurance training. The objective of any fitness regime, maintenance of good health and posture and treatment of back pain is identifying dangerous causes that require immediate attention and attempt to prevent chronic low back pain problems. The modified Sorensen’s and Kraus Weber’s test can be used to asses and train the trunk muscles endurance as they are simple, easy, reliable and replace the costly and time consuming machine methods for evaluating and training endurance.