Musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction, particularly in the upper limb and spine, are often linked to poor core stability and muscular imbalance. While progressive resistance training is a well-established approach to improve muscular strength, incorporating core stability exercises may provide additional benefits in terms of balance, posture, and neuromuscular control. However, limited studies have examined the combined effects of resistance and core stability training on upper limb strength, core endurance, pain reduction, and balance performance.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
44
Participants in Group A will engage in a combined program focusing on upper limb strengthening and trunk stabilization. The core stability component aims to improve neuromuscular control and trunk endurance, while the resistance training targets upper limb muscle strength and shoulder stability. Core Stability Exercises: Exercise Description Duration/Repetitions Planks Holding a straight-body position on elbows and toes. 30-60 seconds Bird-Dog Extending one arm and opposite leg, maintaining neutral spine. 5-10 sec/rep, 10-12 reps per side Dead Bug Supine position, extending opposite arm and leg. 3-5 sec/rep, 12-15 reps Bridging Lifting hips off ground, maintaining spinal alignment. 10-15 sec/rep, 12-15 reps Swiss Ball Stability Balance in sitting or leg lift positions using a Swiss ball. 20-30 sec/position, 10-12 reps Progression in core exercises will occur by increasing repetitions, duration, or complexity based on individual capability.
will perform only the upper limb progressive resistance training protocol as outlined below. This regimen focuses on strengthening the shoulder complex, upper back, and arm muscles to improve muscular performance, endurance, and control. Progressive Resistance Training
Lahore City
Lahore, Pakistan
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for Pain
The Visual Analog Scale is a simple and validated tool widely used for the assessment of subjective pain intensity. It consists of a 10-centimeter horizontal line, with the endpoints defining the extremes of pain-'no pain' on the left end (0) and 'worst imaginable pain' on the right end . Participants mark a point on the line that corresponds to their perceived pain intensity. The distance in centimeters from the "no pain" end to the mark is measured to quantify pain. The VAS is sensitive to changes in pain and has high reliability and validity in both clinical and sports injury populations
Time frame: 12 Months
Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)
The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) is a self-administered questionnaire used to assess pain and functional disability in individuals with shoulder pathology. It consists of 13 items divided into two subscales: pain (5 items) and disability (8 items), each rated on a scale from 0 (no pain/difficulty) to 10 (worst pain/inability). SPADI has demonstrated excellent validity, with strong correlations to other functional assessment tools, and reliability, with high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.86-0.95) and test-retest reliability (ICC 0.89-0.93). Its responsiveness to clinical change makes it a valuable tool for both research and rehabilitation monitoring
Time frame: 12 Months
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