Does a relationship exist between core endurance and static balance scores in adult female college women?

INTRODUCTION: Several attempts have been made through several studies have attempted to derive identify variables that can help to improve overall balance scores in various populations over the past several yearsdecade (1,2). Core endurance has been identified as a possible variable that could assist with coordination of the trunk musculature which could contribute to developing balance. Core stabilization and endurance has been shown to assist or improve athletic performance with regards to swinging or moving coordination (3). However, there has not been literature demonstrating any relationship between core endurance and static balance. The question lies if core endurance has a relationship with static balance scores? METHODS: Twenty-seven (27) female college students from a Midwestern University volunteered for the study (age 22.66±.87, height 174.77±4.12 cm, mass 76.56±9.17 kg, body mass index 25.06±2.75). Center of pressure (CoP) measurements were taken with the eyes open stable surface (EOSS), eyes closed stable surface (ECSS), eyes open perturbed surface (EOPS), and eyes closed perturbed surface (ECPS) using a Bertec Computerized Posturography Plate. A timed assessment measured with a stopwatch in .001 seconds, using a push up plank with the subjects resting their forearms on the ground while maintaining linear posture was given after the static balance test to measure core endurance. Time was taken until fatigue was observed in each participant (4). RESULTS: Pearson correlations (SPSS version 24) were not significant (p = .06) between any of the static balance scores and the timed plank scores (EOSS r= -.30; ECSS r= -.36; EOPS r = -.34; ECPS r = -.38). CONCLUSION: This study did not find any significant relationship between Core Endurance and Static Balance Scores on a stable or perturbed surface with the eyes opened or closed. Further studies using other methods to measure core variables such as strength or targeted muscle activation are warranted to determine if other direct relationships exist with stability outcomes.