BACKGROUND: Flexion/extension trunk muscle endurance imbalance is more clinically significant than isolated trunk endurance deficits.
OBJECTIVE: This study provides reference values and correlates of trunk flexion/extension endurance ratio among healthy young Nigerian adults.
METHODS: A total of 208 volunteers participated in this study. Static Back Extensors Endurance (SBEE), Dynamic Back Extensors Endurance(DBEE), Static Abdominal Muscles' Endurance (SAME) and Dynamic Abdominal Muscles' Endurance (DAME) were assessed following standard protocols. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
RESULTS: The mean age, SBEE, DBEE, SAME and DAME were 22.2 ± 1.76 years, 78.3 ± 41.5 secs, 21.1 ± 9.69 reps, 39.1 ± 24.5 secs and 16.5 ± 15.8 reps respectively. Static and dynamic trunk flexion/extension endurance ratio was 0.63 ± 0.50 and 0.86 ± 0.74 respectively. There were significant differences in trunk static (0.81 ± 0.57 secs vs. 0.53 ± 0.42 secs; p= 0.001) and dynamic (1.04 ± 0.48 reps vs. 0.74± 0.83 reps reps; p= 0.001) flexion/extension endurance ratio in men and women, respectively.
CONCLUSION: This study established a set of reference values for static and dynamic trunk flexion/extension endurance ratios among healthy young Nigerians. Men had significant higher trunk flexion/extension endurance than women.
