Tom K Tong1, Shing Wu2, Jinlei Nie3. 1. Dr. Stephen Hui Research Centre for Physical Recreation and Wellness, Department of Physical Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China. Electronic address: tongkk@hkbu.edu.hk. 2. Dr. Stephen Hui Research Centre for Physical Recreation and Wellness, Department of Physical Education, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China. 3. School of Physical Education and Sports, Macao Polytechnic Institute, Macao, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the validity and reliability of a sports-specific endurance plank test for the evaluation of global core muscle function. DESIGN: Repeated-measures study. SETTING: Laboratory environment. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-eight male and eight female young athletes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Surface electromyography (sEMG) of selected trunk flexors and extensors, and an intervention of pre-fatigue core workout were applied for test validation. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV), and the measurement bias ratio */÷ ratio limits of agreement (LOA) were calculated to assess reliability and measurement error. RESULTS: Test validity was shown by the sEMG of selected core muscles, which indicated >50% increase in muscle activation during the test; and the definite discrimination of the ∼30% reduction in global core muscle endurance subsequent to a pre-fatigue core workout. For test-retest reliability, when the first attempt of three repeated trials was considered as familiarisation, the ICC was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.98-0.99), CV was 2.0 ± 1.56% and the measurement bias ratio */÷ ratio LOA was 0.99 */÷ 1.07. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the sport-specific endurance plank test is a valid, reliable and practical method for assessing global core muscle endurance in athletes given that at least one familiarisation trial takes place prior to measurement.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the validity and reliability of a sports-specific endurance plank test for the evaluation of global core muscle function. DESIGN: Repeated-measures study. SETTING: Laboratory environment. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-eight male and eight female young athletes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Surface electromyography (sEMG) of selected trunk flexors and extensors, and an intervention of pre-fatigue core workout were applied for test validation. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV), and the measurement bias ratio */÷ ratio limits of agreement (LOA) were calculated to assess reliability and measurement error. RESULTS: Test validity was shown by the sEMG of selected core muscles, which indicated >50% increase in muscle activation during the test; and the definite discrimination of the ∼30% reduction in global core muscle endurance subsequent to a pre-fatigue core workout. For test-retest reliability, when the first attempt of three repeated trials was considered as familiarisation, the ICC was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.98-0.99), CV was 2.0 ± 1.56% and the measurement bias ratio */÷ ratio LOA was 0.99 */÷ 1.07. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the sport-specific endurance plank test is a valid, reliable and practical method for assessing global core muscle endurance in athletes given that at least one familiarisation trial takes place prior to measurement.
Authors: Jeffrey B Taylor; Anh-Dung Nguyen; Mark V Paterno; Bin Huang; Kevin R Ford Journal: BMC Musculoskelet Disord Date: 2017-02-07 Impact factor: 2.362