Postpartum, Postural Stability, Trunk Muscle Endurance
Conditions
Brief summary
This study will examine a 12-week online core stability program for postpartum women, where participants will complete supervised sessions three times per week and will be compared with an education-only group. The intervention group will participate in supervised, real-time sessions via a video-conferencing platform, three times per week for 12 weeks. Exercises combine isometric and dynamic core stability tasks, progressing in difficulty over time. Dynamic postural control will be assessed using the lower quarter Y-Balance Test (YBT-LQ), while trunk endurance will be measured using the flexor endurance, extensor endurance, and side bridge tests.
Interventions
OTHERonline core stability exercise group
The intervention group participated in supervised, real-time sessions via a video-conferencing platform, three times per week for 12 weeks.
OTHERan education-only control group
Participants in the control group received standard postpartum education delivered online once every two weeks over the 12-week period.
Sponsors
Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
20 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
1. singleton pregnancy; 2. medically uncomplicated delivery; 3. clearance from a healthcare provider to participate in low- to moderate-intensity exercise; 4. self-reported difficulties with trunk endurance, balance, or early fatigue during daily activities.
Exclusion criteria
1. unresolved obstetric complications; 2. severe pelvic floor dysfunction requiring specialized medical management; (3) neurological or musculoskeletal conditions affecting balance (4) participation in structured core training more than once per week during the previous three months.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic Postural Control | 12 weeks | The lower quarter Y-Balance Test (YBT-LQ) will be used to assess dynamic postural control of the lower extremity. Participants will perform maximal reach in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions while maintaining single-leg stance on a standardized YBT device or equivalent setup. Reach distances are normalized to leg length, and a composite score is calculated as the sum of the three directions divided by three times leg length, multiplied by 100. |
| Trunk endurance | 12 weeks | Trunk endurance will be evaluated using three standardized tests: (a) the flexor endurance test (time holding a seated trunk flexion position against gravity); (b) the extensor endurance test (time maintaining the torso in a horizontal position in prone with the pelvis supported); and (c) the side bridge test (time maintaining a side plank position on each side). All endurance times will be recorded in seconds, with longer durations indicating better endurance. |
Contacts
CONTACTNadia Radwan, PHD
Outcome results
None listed