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Open Access Thesis

Keywords

Abdomen--Muscles; Back--Muscles; Academic theses;

Abstract

The concept of core stability has transcended physical medicine as well as health and physical performance. It is now considered a fundamental component of general fitness and rehabilitation programming. However, the definition of core stability, its components, and the assessment techniques have not been established. The purpose of this project was to develop a comprehensive core stability model addressing its definition, components, and assessment techniques. The methods utilized in this study incorporated the Delphi technique to develop a unified core stability model.

A group of 15 content experts from United States and Canada, representing a variety of disciplines, participated in this study. An open-ended questionnaire pertaining to a core stability definition, components, and specific assessment techniques was distributed to each expert. Data was collected over two rounds of telephone interviews. In round one, the data in the form of feedback from each expert was collected. Round two consisted of a second telephone interview to gather any changes the experts made to their initial responses. Data collection was concluded once a consensus was achieved.

A working definition of core stability was developed as "the ability to achieve and sustain control of the trunk region at rest and during precise movement" after the first round. Eighty-three percent of the experts considered the definition satisfactory. Therefore, the definition was accepted. A consensus was also achieved for the components of core stability. Muscles and neuromuscular control were identified by over 51 percent of the experts. Consistently identified muscles were the transversus abdominis, internal oblique, external oblique, rectus abdominis, and multifidus. Assessment techniques were identified and inconsistencies were highlighted, however no consensus was established.

In conclusion, a consensus core stability definition was created and its components were identified. However, of the initial definitions provided by the experts, no two were identical, which revealed the inconsistencies among experts and the importance of this study. Nonetheless, the goal of obtaining a consensus definition was obtained. Although a consensus for the assessment techniques of core stability could not be reached, it was a beneficial starting point to identify the inconsistencies that were discovered among the content experts.

Year of Submission

2007

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Health, Recreation, and Community Services

Department

School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services

First Advisor

Todd A. Evans

Comments

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Date Original

2007

Object Description

1 PDF file (161 pages)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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