RESEARCH PAPER
EFFECTS OF CORE EXERCISE ON SPINE POSTURE AND TRUNK NEUROMUSCULAR ABILITIES IN HEALTHY, RECREATIONALLY ACTIVE MALES: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
1
Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
These authors had equal contribution to this work
Submission date: 2025-09-12
Final revision date: 2025-10-31
Acceptance date: 2025-11-19
Publication date: 2025-11-24
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Background:
Postural misalignment and reduced trunk endurance are common even among healthy young adults. Although core exercise is considered a preventive strategy, scientific evidence remains limited. This study examined the effects of a six-week core exercise program on spinal alignment and trunk neuromuscular endurance in healthy, recreationally active males.
Material and methods:
This randomized controlled trial was conducted over six weeks at the University of Novi Sad, Serbia. One hundred thirty-eight males (age 23.3±0.9 years) were randomly allocated to exercise (n=73) or control (n=65) groups. Outcomes included spinal posture variables measured with the CONTEMPLAS 2D/3D system and three trunk neuromuscular tests. Repeated-measures analysis of variance assessed time and interaction effects (α=0.05).
Results:
Significant group × time interactions were observed for thoracic distance (p=0.02; 95% CI-3.24 to 0.37 cm), lumbar distance (p<0.001; 95% CI-1.58 to 0.47 cm), Thoracic Kyphosis Index (p<0.001; 95% CI-0.24 to 0.00), and cervico-lumbar angle (p<0.001; 95% CI-0.74 to 1.65°). Trunk endurance improved significantly for back extensor (p<0.001; 95% CI-11.26 to 36.70 s), flexor (p<0.001; 95% CI-41.41 to 83.95 s), and Double Leg Lowering (p<0.001; 95% CI-6.78 to 15.82°) tests.
Conclusions:
A structured six-week core exercise program significantly improved spinal posture and trunk endurance, supporting its use as an effective, non-invasive strategy to promote spinal health in young adults.
Postural misalignment and reduced trunk endurance are common even among healthy young adults. Although core exercise is considered a preventive strategy, scientific evidence remains limited. This study examined the effects of a six-week core exercise program on spinal alignment and trunk neuromuscular endurance in healthy, recreationally active males.
Material and methods:
This randomized controlled trial was conducted over six weeks at the University of Novi Sad, Serbia. One hundred thirty-eight males (age 23.3±0.9 years) were randomly allocated to exercise (n=73) or control (n=65) groups. Outcomes included spinal posture variables measured with the CONTEMPLAS 2D/3D system and three trunk neuromuscular tests. Repeated-measures analysis of variance assessed time and interaction effects (α=0.05).
Results:
Significant group × time interactions were observed for thoracic distance (p=0.02; 95% CI-3.24 to 0.37 cm), lumbar distance (p<0.001; 95% CI-1.58 to 0.47 cm), Thoracic Kyphosis Index (p<0.001; 95% CI-0.24 to 0.00), and cervico-lumbar angle (p<0.001; 95% CI-0.74 to 1.65°). Trunk endurance improved significantly for back extensor (p<0.001; 95% CI-11.26 to 36.70 s), flexor (p<0.001; 95% CI-41.41 to 83.95 s), and Double Leg Lowering (p<0.001; 95% CI-6.78 to 15.82°) tests.
Conclusions:
A structured six-week core exercise program significantly improved spinal posture and trunk endurance, supporting its use as an effective, non-invasive strategy to promote spinal health in young adults.
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