Whether the implementation of feasible, equipment-free, and simple core exercises in warm-up routines in physical education classes for school-aged children is beneficial remains unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of a core conditioning in the warm-up routine of physical education classes on trunk muscular endurance, movement capability, and flexibility in this population. In these pre- and post-test control group experiments, 52 healthy, school-aged children (aged 10 to 11 years) were cluster randomized allocated to either the dynamic core exercise (DCE) group or general physical education (GPE) group. The DCE group performed a 10-min core exercise routine twice per week for six consecutive weeks; the GPE group performed traditional physical education warm-up exercises regularly. The children were assessed by conducting the trunk muscular endurance test (ie, dynamic curl-up, static curl-up, plank, and lateral plank), functional movement screen (FMS), and single-leg balance test before and after the intervention. At the end of the intervention, the DCE group demonstrated a significant effect on trunk muscular endurance, movement capability (ie, FMS scores), flexibility, and balance (each p < 0.001, effect size 0.38 to 1.3). Furthermore, the DCE group showed significant improvements in all outcome measurements compared with the GPE group (p < 0.05, effect size 0.29 to 1.68). These data may provide a reference for incorporating additional core stability exercises in the warm-up routine of physical education classes in school-aged children in the future.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• DOI
• PubMed
• PDF locator
• publisher