Thesis (M.S.)--Eastern Illinois University, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 51-54).

published_or_final_version / Human Performance / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 145-164). Also available in print.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Department of Chiropractic, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa. 2015. / Low back stability and low back strengthening exercises have emerged as popular techniques related to optimal athletic/occupational performance and the rehabilitation of painful backs (McGill 2001). The core provides local strength and balance as well as reduces the risk of low back injury (Kibler, Press and Sciascia 2006). Core strength is important in providing a solid base for the body to exert or resist forces. According to Anderson and Behm (2005), however, it is still uncertain as to which type of training is most effective in providing trunk and joint stability in its role in injury prevention and its contribution to balance. Aim: To determine if exercises performed on an unstable surface would result in greater balance improvements in healthy female participants when compared with exercises performed on a stable surface. Methods Forty asymptomatic females between the ages of 18 and 30 were recruited via self-selection. The study was a randomised clinical trial where all participants underwent a case history, a physical examination and a lumbar spine regional examination. Thereafter, participants were asked to stand on the Biosway Portable Balance System where baseline readings of the Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance (CTSIB) and the Postural Stability Test were taken. The CTSIB has four test conditions – Condition 1: eyes open firm surface, Condition 2: eyes closed firm surface, Condition 3: eyes open foam surface, and Condition 4: eyes closed foam surface. The Postural Stability Test was presented in terms of overall postural stability, anterior/posterior stability and medial/lateral stability. Participants were then taught how to activate their core muscles by means of the prone coactivation exercise. A Pressure Biofeedback Unit was used to provide an objective measurement of the successful execution of the exercise. Participants were then allocated to either Group A or B and were taught how to perform the various core strength exercises. Participants in Group A performed the side bridge and single leg extension hold on a stable surface; participants in Group B performed the prone bridge and the quadruped reach on a Swiss ball. Participants were instructed to perform their respective exercises daily at home and they were also told the required number of sets repetitions they were to do. During the first week the participants were to perform three sets of 30 second holds daily, for the bridge exercises and three sets of 60 seconds for the extensor exercises. During the second week the participants were to perform four sets of 30 and 60 second holds, respectively. In the third and fourth weeks the participants were expected to perform five sets of 30 and 60 second holds respectively. The study participants reported to the Chiropractic Day Clinic once a week for four weeks and performed their exercises in the presence of the researcher. In the fourth week, however, the participants were asked to stand on the Biosway Portable Balance System and final readings of their CTSIB and Postural Stability Test were taken. All data was collected by the researcher. SPSS version 21 was used to analyse the data. A p value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Intra-group analysis was done on each treatment group individually to assess the effect of the treatment over time using repeated measures ANOVA for each outcome separately. Inter-group analysis was achieved using repeated measures ANOVA with a between group effect of the intervention. A significant time x group intervention effect would signify a treatment effect. Inter-group correlations between changes in outcomes over time were achieved using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: The mean (± SD) age of the participants was 22.1 years. In terms of the CTSIB test under condition 1 there was no statistically significant effect of the intervention (p=0.431), group B showed a decrease in their sway index after the intervention. Under condition 2 group A participants showed a decline in their sway index, however results were statistically insignificant (p=0.129). Both groups showed a decrease in sway index overtime under conditions 3 and 4 with group B showing a faster decline in sway index overtime under condition 3. Results remained statistically insignificant for both conditions (p=0.171) and (p=0.766) respectively. In terms of the Postural Stability Test the intervention was found to have no effect on the balance of study participants (p=0.548). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated a statistically insignificant improvement in the core strength and balance of the participants in both study groups. Taking into account the nature of the study population there is a possibility of a clinically significant effect were this study to be conducted on older individuals instead of younger individuals. For some of the outcomes measured there was a non-statistically significant trend towards an effect of the intervention, however for others both groups displayed the same trend over time. The power of the study to show a significant effect where one might have existed was low and thus the study should be repeated with a larger sample size using the outcomes which showed differential results between the treatment groups.

A dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree of Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2007. / The Transversus Abdominis (TrA) muscle is recognised in the literature as playing a vital and protective role in maintaining a healthy core and aiding lumbar biomechanics in the dampening of external forces applied to the lumbar spine. Pilates purports to employ the principles of core training yet there remains a deficit in the literature despite its popularity in rehabilitation and fitness industries. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Pilates method in training the TrA in comparison to a moderately active population that regularly exercises in a gym environment, as well as a sedentary control. / M

Thesis (M.Tech.: Chiropractic)-Dept. of Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2007 xi, 60 leaves, Annexures 1-9 / The Transversus Abdominis (TrA) muscle is recognised in the literature as playing a vital and protective role in maintaining a healthy core and aiding lumbar biomechanics in the dampening of external forces applied to the lumbar spine. Pilates purports to employ the principles of core training yet there remains a deficit in the literature despite its popularity in rehabilitation and fitness industries. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Pilates method in training the TrA in comparison to a moderately active population that regularly exercises in a gym environment, as well as a sedentary control.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters’ Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2013. / Background : Core strengthening may improve athletic ability by providing stability to the trunk, and as a result, stabilising the pelvis. The leverage from which cyclists generate power may be enhanced as a result of a stable pelvis, thereby improving the cyclist’s performance. In the popular, highly competitive sport of cycling, performance enhancement is much sought after. Despite its widespread use, research involving core strengthening in sporting situations is lacking, with studies investigating the effect of a core strengthening programme on cycling performance yet to be investigated. Objectives : To determine the participants’ cycling speed, power, cadence and completion time, and core strength in terms of objective findings, pre- and post- core strengthening intervention, in the whole sample and within the two age strata. To determine the participants’ heart rate in terms of objective findings, and the rate of perceived exertion in terms of subjective findings, pre- and post- core strengthening intervention, in the whole sample and within the two age strata. To determine the participants’ perception of change in speed, power and cadence post- intervention, in the whole sample and within the two age strata. Method : Forty-two asymptomatic cyclists performed two 1.5 km time trials, pre- and post- core strengthening intervention. Core strength assessments were performed pre- and post- intervention, using the Pressure Biofeedback Unit, and the maximum and average speed (km/hr), power (w) and cadence (rpm), and completion time (s) were recorded pre- and post- intervention, using the Computerised Electromagnetic Roller resistance Ergometer (Tacx Trainer). Heart rate and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded pre- and post- intervention, as well as the participant’s perception of change in speed, power, and cadence post- intervention. SPSS version 20 (SPSS Inc) was used to analyse the data, in the whole sample and stratified into two age strata. Results : ll cycling performance indicators, speed, power, cadence and completion time showed a significant improvement post- intervention, in the whole sample, and within the two age strata. Core strength indicators showed a significant improvement post- intervention, in the whole sample and within the two age strata. A significant decrease in rate of perceived exertion and corresponding heart rate measurements post- intervention was observed in the whole sample. Similarly, the younger age strata reflected a significant decrease in rate of perceived exertion, however heart rate measurements were not significant. In contrast, the older age strata showed significant changes in heart rate measurements, with no significance in rate of perceived exertion measurements. The majority of participants experienced an increased perception in all outcomes post- intervention. Conclusions: The results of this study found that core strengthening had a statistically significant effect (p < 0.001) on cycling performance, both in terms of objective and subjective findings. Future studies could address the effect of core strengthening in an endurance setting.