TRUNK AND LOWER EXTREMITY MUSCLE ENDURANCE: NORMATIVE DATA FOR ADULTS

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to establish a gender and age referenced table of normative values for seven standardized tests of trunk and lower extremity muscular endurance. Subjects. 548 volunteers (276 women and 272 men) who had not missed work in the preceding six months due to back or neck pain. Methods. Experienced therapists followed a standardized protocol to measure subjects' endurance on five isometric and two dynamic endurance tests. Analysis and Results. For each test, 25th, 50th and 75th percentile scores were determined for 10 age/gender categories. Conclusion and Discussion. In clinical practice, these tests can be used at intake or as an outcome measure by comparing a patient’s scores with the normative percentile data to assess which muscles exhibit dysfunction and to what degree.