The effect of core exercises on static and dynamic balance and functional capacity in young adults: An 8 week longitudinal stud

The purpose of this work is to study the effect of core stabilization exercises on dynamic and static balance and functional capacity of young adults of ages 18-22. The study involved a total of sixty (n:60) college students as participants, thirty (n:30) women and thirty (n:30) men.The study was conducted in Gazi Osman Pasa University Resadiye Vocational School.The participants of the study were randomly separated in two groups using Random Allocation Software 2.0.The group that did the core stabilization exercises was named the exercise group, while the group that didn't do the exercises was named the control group.The exercise group performed the exercises three days a week for eight weeks under the supervision of a physical therapist.Before the study, the participants completed a socio-demographic information questionnaire and performed three-way plank test, Star Excursion Balance Test, Balance Error Scoring System, 6 Minute walking test, and sit and reach test. The tests were repeated after eight weeks. The results showed that the exercise group showed significant improvement after the exercise program in their scores for all three ways of the plank test (sn), dynamic and static balance, and 6 minute walking test (p≤0.05). The control group showed significant improvement in 6 minute walking test and dynamic balance in the anterior direction (p≤0.05). There was a significant difference between exercise and control groups subsequent to the exercise program in all three ways of the plank test (sn), dynamic balance in the anterior and anterolateral direction, static balance in both extremities, and 6 minute walking test (p≤0.05). As a result of our study, we conclude that "core" stabilization exercises are beneficial to static and dynamic balance and functional capacity of individuals in a homogeneous age group who previously didn't work out