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Despite its positive impact on physical and mental well-being, adults may refrain from performing regular physical activity, due to inadequate time, accessibility, or funds. Yet remote platforms could overcome such obstacles and increase participation. This study evaluated the effectiveness of remote-synchronous group-Pilates classes compared to in-studio classes in healthy sedentary women. In a randomized controlled design, 40 women, aged 20–45, were assigned to a Zoom or studio group-Pilates training. The intervention included twice-weekly 45 min sessions over an eight-week period. Attendance (adherence) was recorded, and the participants completed physical motor tests (plank, curl-up, stork, push-up, and V-sit and reach), Profile of Mood State Surveys, and Nordic Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaires. Evaluations were performed at baseline, mid-intervention (4 weeks), and post intervention (8 weeks). Adherence to training was high in the Zoom and studio groups (80% and 74%, respectively). Improvements in physical motor tests were seen in both groups following the Pilates interventions, thereby indicating the effectiveness of group-Pilates Zoom training. In conclusion, remote online physical activity such as Pilates offers a good alternative to in-studio trainings, as a means for improving physical fitness and promoting a healthy lifestyle in adults, by offering a more accessible and less timely alternative to in-studio physical activity programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to explore the impact of plank exercise training (PET) on respiratory function, body composition, abdominis performance, and autonomic nervous system (ANS). Sixty‐one young adults participated and were divided into a control group (CG, n = 31) and an exercise group (EG, n = 30), wherein PET was administered 3 days per week for 12 weeks. After the experiment, the body composition of the CG deteriorated, whereas that of the EG improved (p < 0.001). The EG exhibited a reduction of ∼34% in the mean maximum displacement and a rise of ∼20% in the mean contraction time of the abdominis. The sit‐up in the EG demonstrated a significant increase of ∼55%. In the EG, there was a substantial increase in peak expiratory force by ∼24% and forced expiratory volume in 1 s by ∼14%, accompanied by a reduction in resting respiratory rate by ∼ −9%. When compared to the CG, these alterations were significant between the two groups (p = 0.001). In the EG, there was a significant decrease in resting heart rate by ∼2%, accompanied by a decrease in sympathetic nervous activity by ∼ −5% and by an increase in parasympathetic nervous activity by ∼5%. When compared to the CG, these alterations were significant between the two groups (p = 0.001). The findings of this study revealed that implementing PET in young adults, while controlling for dietary intake and physical activity, resulted in noteworthy changes in respiratory capacity. These changes were coupled with improvements in body composition, abdominal functions, and the ANS. Highlights: The plank exercise training (PET) resulted in a decrease in body weight, fat mass, body mass index, and waist‐to‐hip ratio, along with an increase in muscle mass over a 12‐week period.The PET led to a decrease in the maximum displacement and an increase in the contraction time, along with an improvement in abdominal muscle endurance.The peak expiratory flow and forced expiratory volume in 1 s exhibited increases as a result of the PET, accompanied by a notable decrease in resting respiratory rate.The PET led to a reduction in resting heart rate, influenced by a decrease in sympathetic nervous activity and an increase in parasympathetic nervous activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: to assess the reliability of the core "plank" test, investigate its correlation with abdominal resistance strength, and examine its longitudinal association before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in schoolchildren during the transition to adolescence. Methods: The initial sample included 221 students aged 6–11 years in 2018 (58.8% of boys). These same students were re-evaluated between May and June 2023, at ages 11–16 years. The baseline assessments encompassed the plank isometric test and the abdominal sit-up (dynamic strength test). Due to resource limitations, only the plank test was conducted during the post-pandemic evaluation. To verify the reliability and reproducibility of the plank test, the two-way intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used, also correlation coefficients (r) were calculated. Results: The final sample comprised 130 boys and 91 girls, and the plank test demonstrated high reliability for both genders, with ICC ranging from 0.623 to 0.869 for boys and 0.695 to 0.901 for girls, as well as high Cronbach's alpha (α) values, indicating internal consistency. The results revealed significant correlations between the plank test and other physical fitness variables for both boys and girls. The sit-up test showed moderate positive correlations with the follow-up plank test in girls, while in boys, the correlation was weak and negative in the baseline evaluation but became moderate and positive when adjusted for age. Conclusions: The isometric plank strength test is highly reliable in children aged 6–16 years and can be used as an alternative measure to assess core strength in school-aged children. In addition, there was a significant and strong relationship between the plank test and the abdominal sit-up strength-resistance test, which provides valuable insights for fitness assessment in this age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firefighters are at a higher risk for experiencing back pain due to the nature of their job, but physical fitness may help to reduce this risk. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to determine if a correlation between subjective back pain severity and core muscular endurance exists in firefighters. A secondary purpose was to determine if age or body composition were correlated with back pain severity. This cross-sectional study was performed at a fire department during their Physical Fitness Assessment Program and included 72 male firefighters. Measures included weight, body fat percentage, maximal plank hold times for core muscular endurance, and the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire. A Pearson product correlation analysis was performed between back pain score and each of the following variables: body fat percentage, BMI, age, and plank hold times. A second set of correlation coefficient analyses was performed between the same variables exclusively in subjects who reported back pain. This study found that, within this population of firefighters, there was no significant correlation between back pain and plank times or body composition variables, although there was a trend toward significant correlations between BMI and body fat percentage when only subjects with back pain were considered.

Firefighters are at a higher risk for experiencing back pain due to the nature of their job, but physical fitness may help to reduce this risk. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to determine if a correlation between subjective back pain severity and core muscular endurance exists in firefighters. A secondary purpose was to determine if age or body composition were correlated with back pain severity. This cross-sectional study was performed at a fire department during their Physical Fitness Assessment Program and included 72 male firefighters. Measures included weight, body fat percentage, maximal plank hold times for core muscular endurance, and the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire. A Pearson product correlation analysis was performed between back pain score and each of the following variables: body fat percentage, BMI, age, and plank hold times. A second set of correlation coefficient analyses was performed between the same variables exclusively in subjects who reported back pain. This study found that, within this population of firefighters, there was no significant correlation between back pain and plank times or body composition variables, although there was a trend toward significant correlations between BMI and body fat percentage when only subjects with back pain were considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circuit plank training is expected to improve archery accuracy supported by the dominant component in archery. This research was an experiment using a one-group pretest-postest design that provided circuit plank training activities in as many as 18 meetings and was carried out three times a week. The study populations were 22 athletes in Yogyakarta, which were then filtered again to take 12 athletes as the study sample using purposive sampling techniques with the criteria of male athletes aged 16-18 years. The instrument of this study included the holding bow digit test and archery distance of 40 meters. The analytical techniques used were normality, homogeneity, and hypothesis tests. The hypothesis testing used a T-test, a statistical analysis technique that can be used to determine whether there is a significant difference between the two mean samples. The analysis of the arm muscle strength data resulted in a t-count value of (41,894) > t table (1.80) and a p-value of (0.000) < 0.05. Meanwhile, the archery accuracy analysis obtained a t-count value of (34,019) > t-table (1.80), and a p-value of (0.000) < 0.05. The results of the two t-tests showed that the t-count value > t-table showed an increase after being given treatment. There was an increase in the strength and accuracy of archery athletes after having circuit plank training and increased endurance component of the arm muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The INCSEB project is aimed at developing 5 ultra‐low carbon envelope systems made in steel and that incorporate innovative use of wood fiber insulation. The systems under development are: 3 sandwich panels (cladding, pitch & flat roofing), 2 claddings (double skin & façade with plank). INCSEB includes tests to study various behaviors: mechanical, fire, thermal calculation, acoustic insulation, air/water/vapor permeability. Interpretation and classification reports will be done for each type of test. 2 full scale prototypes will allow to estimate the durability in real life conditions. LCA indicators and comparison of carbon footprint (GWP) to conventional systems based on a real office building will be provided. An economic study of the projected price of the 5 systems compared to existing conventional systems is also planned. Besides, as far as the production of innovative panels is concerned, it appears that they can be integrated in current production lines. Finally, actions to facilitate the dissemination of results and industrial application will be organized: drafts of design and installation guides, publications, submission of 3 amendments to relevant EN standardization committees, workshop, BIM objects. Lastly, the manufacturers plan to apply for patents protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a vision method of identifying and measuring wood surface parameters to detect defects resulting from errors occurring during machining. The paper presents the method of recording a three–dimensional image of the wood surface using the laser triangulation method. It discusses parameters related to imaging resolution and the impact of vision system configuration parameters on the measurement resolution and image acquisition time. For the recorded image, proposed algorithms detect defects like wade and bark at the board edges. Algorithms for measuring characteristic parameters describing the surface of the wood are presented. Validation tests performed using the prepared system in industrial conditions are provided and discussed. The proposed solution makes it possible to detect board defects in flow mode on belt conveyors operating at a speed of up to 1000 mm/s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite its positive impact on physical and mental well-being, adults may refrain from performing regular physical activity, due to inadequate time, accessibility, or funds. Yet remote platforms could overcome such obstacles and increase participation. This study evaluated the effectiveness of remote-synchronous group-Pilates classes compared to in-studio classes in healthy sedentary women. In a randomized controlled design, 40 women, aged 20–45, were assigned to a Zoom or studio group-Pilates training. The intervention included twice-weekly 45 min sessions over an eight-week period. Attendance (adherence) was recorded, and the participants completed physical motor tests (plank, curl-up, stork, push-up, and V-sit and reach), Profile of Mood State Surveys, and Nordic Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaires. Evaluations were performed at baseline, mid-intervention (4 weeks), and post intervention (8 weeks). Adherence to training was high in the Zoom and studio groups (80% and 74%, respectively). Improvements in physical motor tests were seen in both groups following the Pilates interventions, thereby indicating the effectiveness of group-Pilates Zoom training. In conclusion, remote online physical activity such as Pilates offers a good alternative to in-studio trainings, as a means for improving physical fitness and promoting a healthy lifestyle in adults, by offering a more accessible and less timely alternative to in-studio physical activity programs.

This study summarized protocols in the Lisbon Study for the Development and Evaluation of Musculoskeletal Fitness Standards in Youth and assessed associations between fitness assessments and health outcomes. The sample was 529 children and adolescents (10 to 18 yr). The fitness assessments included handgrip, vertical jump, long jump, plank, and lower body power. The health outcomes were total body and hip bone mineral content, hip bone mineral density, and total body lean tissue mass. Correlation analyses examined associations unadjusted and adjusted for size and maturity. After adjustment, in females, vertical jump, long jump, and lower body power were associated with all health outcomes (r = 0.22 to 0.55, p <.05). In males, all fitness assessments were associated with all health outcomes (r = 0.17 to 0.64, p <.05). Musculoskeletal fitness assessments including non-invasive and easy-to-measure field assessments are associated with important muscle and bone health outcomes in youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suspension training reportedly enhances core musculature co-contraction. This study investigated whether the use of a suspension trainer increases core musculature co-activation during exercises vs. its floor counterpart. Participants were 25 healthy volunteers (16 men, 9 women; age: 27.24 ± 4.02 years). Wireless electromyography electrodes were placed bilaterally at the rectus abdominis (RA), erector spinae (ES), and abdominal obliques (OB). Test order (push-up, bridge, and prone plank) was randomized (exercise and condition) with a 3-min rest period between tests. Co-contraction ratios between muscle groups were estimated by root mean square. Ratios (RA/ES, RA/OB, ES/OB) were analyzed using paired t-tests (P ≤.05). For all floor exercises, co-contraction of core musculature was significantly higher than suspension trainer. During suspension training, perturbations due to increased agonist activation without similar increases in antagonists may be too intense for untrained or injured individuals. Individuals lacking muscle control to recruit muscles concurrently may benefit from mastering traditional floor exercises to promote joint stiffness and stability before suspension trainer exercises. • Suspension training (ST) reportedly enhances core musculature co-contraction. • Co-contraction of core musculature was higher in floor exercises vs. suspension trainer. • ST Perturbations may be too intense for untrained or injured persons. • Individuals lacking muscle control should master floor exercises prior to ST exercises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective of the Study: The aim of the study is the examination of the relationship between vertical jump and core performances compared to shooting test and shoot accuracy. Method: The research group comprise of elite female athletes (n=10) competing in the Turkish Basketball Federation Women's 1st League. In the study vertical jump, plank test (core), and shooting test measurements were included. The vertical jump performances of the athletes were measured by usingthe Smart Speed® brand device; the Smart Jump® measuring mat. the "Sport-Specific Core Muscle Strength and Stabilization" test was used to test the athletes' core performance. The "Aahperd" shooting test was used to determine the athletes' shooting performance. In addition, the average points per game values to shooting accuracy of the athletes were obtained from the official competition data they played in the 2020-2021 season. The relationship between vertical jump and plank test scores compared to shooting test and shooting accuracy was analyzed statistically (p<0.05). SPSS package program (IBM, 24.0 v) was used for statistical analysis of the data. Findings: According to skewness, and kurtosis coefficients distribution of the datas resulted to be normal (mesocurtical) (±3). Based on the normality of the datas, in order to determine correlations between variables Pearson correlation analysis was used. Conclusion: As a result, it was determined that there was a high level of positive correlation between the vertical jump test and the Aahperd shooting test and the average points per a game values of the athletes participating in the study (p<0.05). In addition, it was determined that there was no significant relationship between the results of the plank (core) test, the average points per a game values and the results of the Aahperd shooting test (p>0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was comparing the electromyography (EMG) activity of trunk muscles and the perception of effort during plank exercise with different accessories. METHODS: Fifteen physically active women take part in this study, all of them performed five variations of the plank exercise: In the mat, middle box, high box, Isometric in a Swiss boll and moving the upper arms in the Swiss boll. The perception of effort and the EMG activity of rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal/transverse oblique, longissimus, iliocostalis and multifidus muscles were evaluated. We normalize the RMS value of each muscle by maximum voluntary isometric contraction and then the situations were compared with repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: The highest EMG activities of the rectus abdominis (81.3±10.6% MVIC), external oblique (92.1±7.6% MVIC), internal oblique (68.7±7.6% MVIC), multifidus (9.8±1.1% MVIC), iliocostal (9.0±1.2% MVIC) and longuissimus (7.6±3.8% MVIC) were during the plank on the swiss ball with upper limb movements. The rectus abdominis, multifidus, iliocostalis and longissimus muscles are secondly more active in the mat and isometry in the swiss ball. The lowest EMG activities to these muscles were on plank with middle and high box. To the external oblique and internal/ transverse oblique muscles, no difference was found between the mat, boxes and isometry in the swiss ball. Perception of effort (F=12,008, p=<0.001; eta²=0.546) was lower in the high box situation. CONCLUSION: Variations in the plank exercises change the muscle activity of the trunk muscles by different ways. The highest activities to all muscles were observed during the plank exercise performed above a swiss ball moving the upper arms. To the rectus abdominis, external oblique and internal oblique/tranverse abdominis we found the lowest muscle activities during the plank exercises performed on the middle box and the high box. The effort perception was lower in the high box variation when compared with the other variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Covid-19 pandemic that hit Indonesia, made people have to limit activities outside the home, including athletes who have to maintain their physical quality. With the implementation of large-scale social restrictions, all athletes are required to continue training even though it is done at their respective homes. Training from home is a way for athletes to maintain their condition at home. This study aims to determine the effect of plank training through the concept of training from home which is carried out on athletes who come to the provincial sports week (Porprov) in Tuban during the Covid-19 pandemic. The method used was an experimental design with a randomized control group pretest-posttest design, the sample of this study involved 24 male athletes who were born in Tuban porprov which were divided into two groups, namely the treatment group and the control group. The results of the data analysis showed an increase by an average of 3.84 meters in the treatment group and 0.02 meters in the control group. Based on the results and discussion, it can be concluded that plank training using the training from home concept has a significant improvement

The 'loaded carry' is a popular resistance training activity that activates core musculature across multiple movement planes while the body is in locomotion. 'Hold' exercises are similar to carry exercises but lack the locomotive aspect. Both carry and hold exercises can be completed bilaterally (farmer's carry (FC) and hold (FH)) or unilaterally (suitcase carry (SC) and hold (SH)). A deeper understanding of muscle activation between the FC and SC and intensity-matched FH and SH might improve their application. Healthy, college-aged individuals were recruited and surface electromyography of the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), longissimus (LT), and multifidus (MF) was measured bilaterally using standard procedures. Participants completed time- and intensity-matched randomized sets of the plank, FC, SC, FH, and SH separated by 5-minute rests. A one-way ANOVA was utilized to compare exercises. The FC/FH load averaged 50.7±1.9 kg, where it was used across equally weighted dumbbells. The FC elicited higher activation bilaterally in the LT, MF, RA, and EO, compared to the FH. The SC/SH single-dumbbell load averaged 25.3±0.95 kg. There was greater activation bilaterally in the LT and MF during the SC compared to the SH. However, on the ipsilateral side of the SC, the RA and EO displayed greater activation compared to the SH, but this was not different on the contralateral side. The FC and SC were characterized by increased core muscle activation bilaterally, with the SC exhibiting unique additions to ipsilateral muscle activation.

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of a training program specific to Artistic Gymnastics branch on the performance of university students. 72 university student studying in the School of Physical Education and Sports were participated in the study voluntarily as a control and experiment group. The experimental group was given artistic gymnastics training program for 12 weeks, 2 days a week and 60 minutes. For the data obtained, the homogeneity of the normality variance was tested and then the mixed ANOVA analysis was used to determine the difference in the pretest and posttest. When the flamingo balance values were examined, a significant difference was found between the groups (F(1, 71)=4.93, ƞ2 =.07, p lt;.05). A difference in post-test flexibility scores and pre-test scores (F(1, 71)=7.81,ƞ2 =.10, p lt;.05), a significant difference was found between the posttest scores and the pretest scores in strength values (F(1.34, 95.46) =40.69,ƞ2= .36, p lt;.05). As a result, it is thought that the extra training done in gymnastics lesson increases the success of the lesson and it is thought that this type of training will increase the success level in all applied lessons, not only for the gymnastics class.

Objective Numerous abdominal exercises with Swiss ball are used to improve core stability with strengthening and rehabilitation goals. It is claimed that the stability exercises have a greater impact on core muscle activation, but the validity of this claim is still in doubt. Moreover, there is no comprehensive study on the comparison of the core muscles activity in different core stability exercises. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the Electromyography (EMG) activity of core muscles while performing side plank on stable and unstable (Swiss ball) surfaces. Methods Fifteen male students of Allameh Tabataba’i University were selected for the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The EMG activity of gluteus medius, rectus abdominis, external oblique, and internal oblique muscles in subjects was recorded while performing side plank exercise on a fixed surface and a Swiss ball (2 sets of 5 seconds with a 30-second rest interval). Results There was a significant difference in the EMG activity of gluteus medius, external oblique and rectus abdominis muscles between two conditions of with and without Swiss ball (P0.05). Conclusion Side plank exercise on the unstable surfaces (Swiss balls) can cause changes in the EMG activity of gluteus medius, rectus abdominis and external oblique muscles compared to when the exercise is performed on stable surfaces, and highly involved the pelvic lumbar muscles effective in maintaining core stability. Therefore, the use of side plank exercise on unstable conditions in a progressive program with gradually increased intensity is recommended which can be effective in strengthening and applying effective muscle contractions useful for core stability.

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Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate a variety of isometric plank exercises. Design: Twenty university students performed the following eight different variants of plank exercises in random order and with 1-min rest intervals: stable prone plank, suspended prone plank, stable roll-out plank, suspended roll-out plank, unilateral stable prone plank, unilateral suspended prone plank, stable lateral plank, and suspended lateral plank. Surface electromyography signals were recorded for the upper rectus abdominis, lower rectus abdominis, external oblique, lumbar erector spinae, and normalized to the maximum voluntary isometric contraction. Results: The suspended prone plank and the suspended roll-out plank provided the greatest upper rectus abdominis activity. The greatest lower rectus abdominis activity was induced by the suspended roll-out plank. The highest lumbar erector spinae activity was provided by the suspended and stable lateral planks. The suspended prone plank and the suspended roll-out plank provided the greatest external oblique activity, although not significantly different from the suspended lateral plank. Conclusions: Muscle activity could be progressed using the different exercises. Although suspended prone plank and the suspended roll-out plank were most efficient for the abdominal muscles, suspended and stable lateral planks were most efficient for the lumbar muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to describe current levels of musculoskeletal fitness (MSF) in U.S. youth by creating nationally representative age-specific and sex-specific growth curves for handgrip strength (including relative and allometrically scaled handgrip), modified pull-ups, and the plank test. Participants in the National Youth Fitness Survey (n = 1,453) were tested on MSF, aerobic capacity (via submaximal treadmill test), and body composition (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, and skinfolds). Using LMS regression, age-specific and sex-specific smoothed percentile curves of MSF were created and existing percentiles were used to assign age-specific and sex-specific z-scores for aerobic capacity and body composition. Correlation matrices were created to assess the relationships between z-scores on MSF, aerobic capacity, and body composition. At younger ages (3-10 years), boys scored higher than girls for handgrip strength and modified pull-ups, but not for the plank. By ages 13-15, differences between the boys and girls curves were more pronounced, with boys scoring higher on all tests. Correlations between tests of MSF and aerobic capacity were positive and low-to-moderate in strength. Correlations between tests of MSF and body composition were negative, excluding absolute handgrip strength, which was inversely related to other MSF tests and aerobic capacity but positively associated with body composition. The growth curves herein can be used as normative reference values or a starting point for creating health-related criterion reference standards for these tests. Comparisons with prior national surveys of physical fitness indicate that some components of MSF have likely decreased in the United States over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anew version of a steeply inclined pivoted bucket belt conveyor with slippage of the traction belts relative to the shells of the reels is proposed. The natural vibrations of the buckets in the course of travel, taking into account the total rigidity of the two joined belts and the planks clamped between them, are estimated. The resonant speed of the conveyor belts is determined and the coefficient of dynamism is found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]