Online-Delivered Core Stability Exercises in Postpartum Women

N/ANot Yet RecruitingNCT07560774

Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University40 enrolled

Overview

This study will examine a 12-week online core stability program for postpartum women, where participants will complete supervised sessions three times per week and will be compared with an education-only group. The intervention group will participate in supervised, real-time sessions via a video-conferencing platform, three times per week for 12 weeks. Exercises combine isometric and dynamic core stability tasks, progressing in difficulty over time. Dynamic postural control will be assessed using the lower quarter Y-Balance Test (YBT-LQ), while trunk endurance will be measured using the flexor endurance, extensor endurance, and side bridge tests.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Postpartum Trunk Muscle Endurance Postural Stability

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 20 YearsMax age: 40 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. singleton pregnancy; 2. medically uncomplicated delivery; 3. clearance from a healthcare provider to participate in low- to moderate-intensity exercise; 4. self-reported difficulties with trunk endurance, balance, or early fatigue during daily activities. Exclusion Criteria: 1. unresolved obstetric complications; 2. severe pelvic floor dysfunction requiring specialized medical management; (3) neurological or musculoskeletal conditions affecting balance (4) participation in structured core training more than once per week during the previous three months.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Dynamic Postural Control

The lower quarter Y-Balance Test (YBT-LQ) will be used to assess dynamic postural control of the lower extremity. Participants will perform maximal reach in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions while maintaining single-leg stance on a standardized YBT device or equivalent setup. Reach distances are normalized to leg length, and a composite score is calculated as the sum of the three directions divided by three times leg length, multiplied by 100.

Time frame: 12 weeks

Trunk endurance

Trunk endurance will be evaluated using three standardized tests: (a) the flexor endurance test (time holding a seated trunk flexion position against gravity); (b) the extensor endurance test (time maintaining the torso in a horizontal position in prone with the pelvis supported); and (c) the side bridge test (time maintaining a side plank position on each side). All endurance times will be recorded in seconds, with longer durations indicating better endurance.