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Background Although the Star Excursion Balance test (SEBT) has shown a good intrasession reliability, the intersession reliability of this test has not been deeply studied. Furthermore, there is an evident high influence of the lower limbs in the performance of the SEBT, so even if it has been used to measure core stability, it is possibly not the most suitable measurement. Objective (1) To assess the absolute and relative between-session reliability of the SEBT and 2 novel variations of this test to assess trunk postural control while sitting, ie, the Star Excursion Sitting Test (SEST) and the Star Excursion Timing Test (SETT); and (2) to analyze the relationships between these 3 test scores. Design Correlational and reliability test–retest study. Setting Controlled laboratory environment. Participants Twenty-seven physically active men (age: 24.54 ± 3.05 years). Method Relative and absolute reliability of the SEBT, SEST, and SETT were calculated through the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and standard error of measurement (SEM), respectively. A Pearson correlation analysis was carried out between the variables of the 3 tests. Main Outcome Measures Maximum normalized reach distances were assessed for different SEBT and SEST directions. In addition, composite indexes were calculated for SEBT, SEST, and SETT. Results The SEBT (dominant leg: ICC = 0.87 [0.73-0.94], SEM = 2.12 [1.66-2.93]; nondominant leg: ICC = 0.74 [0.50-0.87], SEM = 3.23 [2.54-4.45]), SEST (ICC = 0.85 [0.68-0.92], SEM = 1.27 [1.03-1.80]), and SETT (ICC = 0.61 [0.30-0.80], SEM = 2.31 [1.82-3.17]) composite indexes showed moderate-to-high 1-month reliability. A learning effect was detected for some SEBT and SEST directions and for SEST and SETT composite indexes. No significant correlations were found between SEBT and its 2 variations (r ≤ .366; P > .05). A significant correlation was found between the SEST and SETT composite indexes (r = .520; P > .01). Conclusions SEBT, SEST, and SETT are reliable field protocols to measure postural control. However, whereas the SEBT assesses postural control in single-leg stance, SEST and SETT provide trunk postural control measures with lower influence of the lower-limbs. Level of Evidence III

BACKGROUND The selection and validation of age- and gender-specific criterion-referenced cut-points for abdominal endurance are still unclear. OBJECTIVE To stablish normative values for abdominal endurance in adolescents by age and gender using the Bench Trunk Curl-up Test (BTC). Additionally, the reliability of the BTC was analyzed. METHODS Two hundred and sixteen untrained high school students (104 males - 112 females) were grouped into five age strata. Participants performed the BTC twice with a rest period of 72 h. Descriptive statistics and percentile scores were determined for each gender/age strata. RESULTS Males showed higher BTC scores than females (males: 90.07 ± 32.65 repetitions; females: 73.43 ± 27.74 repetitions), but no significant differences between age strata nor age * gender interaction were found. Significant differences for the BTC scores between sessions were found (T1 = 72.06 ± 26.28 repetitions; T2 = 81.44 ± 31.27 repetitions). The ICC was 0.82, whereas the typical error was 17.2%. CONCLUSIONS Gender, but not age, is an important factor when abdominal endurance is compared between adolescents. Finally, the BTC is a reliable test, supporting the findings of this study. However, an extensive familiarization period to reduce the learning effect is necessary.

Different methods have been developed to quantify trunk muscle strength and endurance. However, some important protocol characteristics are still unclear, hindering the selection of the most suitable tests in each specific situation. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and the relationship between 3 representative tests of the most common type of protocols used to assess trunk muscle strength and endurance. Twenty-seven healthy men performed each test twice spaced 1 month apart.Trunk strength and endurance were evaluated with an isokinetic dynamometer and 2 field tests including Biering-Sørensen test and Flexion-rotation trunk test. All tests showed a good relative consistency (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]0.75), except for the isokinetic endurance variables which had low-moderate reliability (0.37ICC0.65). Absolute reliability seemed slightly better in the isokinetic protocol than in the field tests, which showed about 12% of test-retest score increase. No significant correlations were found between test scores. After a familiarisation period for the field tests, the 3 protocols can be used to obtain reliable measures of trunk muscle strength and endurance. Based on the correlation analysis, these measures are not related, which highlights the importance of selecting the most suitable trunk test for each situation.

Although core stability (CS) has been assessed through many different tests, the relationships among them are currently unknown. The main objective was to analyze the relationship between 5 representative tests used to assess CS in: (1) laboratory settings: Sudden Loading Test (SLT) and Stable and Unstable Sitting Test (SUST) and (2) field settings: Biering-Sørensen Test (BST), 3-Plane Core Strength Test, and Double-Leg Lowering Test. The reliability of these tests was also examined. In total, 33 recreationally active males performed the tests twice. The relationship between all variables was examined using Pearson correlation coefficient in those variables with a good reliability. Only stiffness and angular displacement in the SLT, dynamic unstable tasks in the SUST, and the holding time in the BST showed good reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient: .63-.91, typical error: 9.8%-21.0%). Few and low correlations were observed between the SLT, SUST, and BST. Despite finding several significant correlations among the dynamic unstable tasks of the SUST (

[ES] Antecedentes: Desde un punto de vista teórico, el desarrollo de la capacidad para estabilizar el tronco podría mejorar el rendimiento del judoca a través del desarrollo del control del equilibrio corporal y la optimización de la transmisión de fuerzas desde los miembros inferiores hacia los miembros superiores. Sin embargo, carecemos de evidencias científicas que permitan establecer una relación clara entre la estabilidad del tronco y el rendimiento en judo. Objetivo: El objetivo principal del estudio fue determinar si la valoración de la estabilidad del tronco y la fuerza y resistencia muscular permitían diferenciar entre judocas de categoría nacional (n = 7) e internacional (n = 6). Asimismo, se analizó la relación entre la estabilidad del tronco y la fuerza y resistencia de la musculatura implicada en el control de la estabilidad. Método: Para valorar la estabilidad del tronco se analizó tanto la respuesta del tronco ante cargas súbitas aplicadas mediante un mecanismo de tracción neumática, como el control postural del tronco mediante el paradigma del asiento inestable. Para valorar la fuerza y resistencia muscular se realizó un test de flexión y extensión del tronco en un dinamómetro isocinético. Resultados/Conclusiones: Los judocas de categoría internacional mostraron menor desplazamiento del CoP en la tarea más compleja sobre el asiento inestable (7.00±1.19 vs 8.93±1.45 mm; p=.025) y mayor momento de fuerza relativo de la musculatura extensora (7.05±0.87 vs 5.74±0.72 Nm; p=.013) que los judocas de categoría nacional. Según estos resultados, la condición muscular y la estabilidad del tronco son cualidades a tener en cuenta en la preparación física de los judocas. El análisis correlacional no encontró relación entre las variables analizadas, por lo que la fuerza y resistencia muscular no parecen tener un efecto importante sobre el rendimiento en los test de estabilidad del tronco. [EN] Background:It is theorized that the development of the ability to stabilize the trunk may improve the performance of a judoka because it improves body balance control and optimizes force transmission from the lower extremities to the upper limbs. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence to establish a clear relationship between trunk stability and performance in judo.Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the quantification of trunk stability and muscular strength and endurance allowed differentiation between national level (n = 7) and international level judoka (n = 6). In addition, the relationship between trunk stability and muscular strength and endurance of the muscles involved in trunk stability control was analyzed. Method: To assess trunk stability, trunk responses to sudden loads applied by a pneumatic mechanism were analyzed, as well as trunk postural control through an unstable sitting paradigm. Muscular strength and endurance were assessed via a flexion and extension trunk test using an isokinetic dynamometer. Results/Conclusions: International level judokas showed lower CoP displacement in the most complex task in unstable seat (7.00 ± 1.19 vs 8.93 ± 1.45 mm, T = .025) and higher absolute and relative peak torque in extensor muscles (7.05 ± 0.87 vs 5.74 ± 0.72 Nm, T = .013) than national level judoka. According to these results, core stability and trunk muscular condition are important qualities in the physical training of elite judoka. Correlational analysis found no relation between the analyzed variables, thus muscular strength and endurance appear to have a non‐significant effect on performance in the trunk stability tests. [PT] Antecedentes: Do ponto de vista teórico, o desenvolvimento da capacidade para estabilizar o tronco pode melhorar o rendimento do judoca através do desenvolvimento do controlo do equilíbrio corporal e a otimização da transmissão de forças dos membros inferiores e dos membros superiores. Contudo, carecem as evidências que permitem estabelecer uma clara relação entre a estabilidade do tronco e o rendimento no judo.Objetivo: O objetivo do estudo foi o determinar se a valorização da estabilidade do tronco e da força e resistência muscular permitiam diferenciar entre judocas de categoria nacional (n = 7) e judocas de categoria internacional (n = 6). Assim mesmo, analisou‐se a relação entre a estabilidade do tronco e a força e a resistência muscular implicada e o controlo da estabilidade. Método: Para medir a estabilidade do tronco, analisou‐se a resposta do tronco antes das cargas súbitas aplicadas mediante um mecanismo de tração neumática, bem como o controlo postural do tronco mediante o paradigma da posição instável. Para medir a força e a resistência muscular, realizou‐se um teste de flexão e extensão do tronco com um dinamómetro isocinético. Resultados/Conclusões: Os judocas de categoria internacional mostraram menor deslizamento do CoP na tarefa mais complexa sobre a posição instável (7.00±1.19 vs 8.93±1.45 mm; p=.025) e maior momento de força relativa à musculatura extensora (7.05±0.87 vs 5.74±0.72 Nm; p=.013) do que os judocas de categoria nacional. Segundo estes resultados, a condição muscular e a estabilidade do tronco são qualidades a ter em conta na preparação física dos judocas. A análise correlacionada não encontrou relação entre as variáveis analisadas, na medida em que a força e a resistência muscular não parecem ter um efeito importante sobre o rendimento nos testes de estabilidade do tronco.