Core StabilityTCS-OANCT07315321
Effect of Tailored Core Stability Programs in Older Adults
A study testing Core stability training in people with Core Stability, run by Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche at 1 site in Spain.
Trial summary
The increase in life expectancy, together with the high levels of physical inactivity in the population over 65 years of age, has generated a significant reduction in the quality of life of elderly people, characterized by the increase in functional dependence and risk of falling. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 65 to 80 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Core Stability
- What is being tested?
- Core stability training
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 57 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSpain
- Study dates
- 7 Jan 2022to 23 Dec 2022
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 65 to 80 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Older adult
Who may be able to join
- People between 65-80 years of age
- Independent walking
- Habitual residence in the province of Alicante
- People without osteoporosis, sarcopenia and/or fragility
- Physical active people.
Who cannot join
- Having a history of cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal or any other type of alterations that contraindicate the practice of physical exercise
- The existence of any type of spinal pathology or low back pain during the study or in the 12 months prior to the study
- Having undergone abdominal or lumbar surgery
- Presenting any osteo-articular and/or muscle-tendon pathology that could be aggravated by the different exploratory tests proposed
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Spain1 site
Biomechanics laboratory of Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche
Elche, Alicante, 03202
About this study
Official title: Effect of Two Core Stability Training Programs of Different Intensity on Trunk Function, Postural Control and Functional Mobility in Older Adults: a Randomized Controlled Trial
The increase in life expectancy, together with the high levels of physical inactivity in the population over 65 years of age, has generated a significant reduction in the quality of life of elderly people, characterized by the increase in functional dependence and risk of falling. In this sense, falls in this population are a serious public health problem, as they can cause fractures that not only exacerbate functional deterioration but can also lead to death. The current literature shows that low muscle strength and poor trunk stability, caused by aging, are associated with low balance levels and consequently with an increased risk of suffering a fall. Thus, there are many studies that have tried to develop trunk muscle conditioning programs as a preventive tool to improve balance, gait and functional mobility in older people. However, these exercise programs have not always shown as positive results as would be expected. One of the main reasons that could explain the heterogeneity of these results is the lack of valid and reliable protocols to objectively measure the intensity of trunk stabilization exercises. This makes trunk training program control and individualization difficult and hinders the proper dose-response characterization of these programs in older people.
Therefore, this project aims to develop new protocols based on low cost and easy to use tools to objectively assess trunk stabilization exercise intensity/difficulty in any sports, geriatric or research facility. This would allow: to perform individualized trunk exercise programs to develop balance, reduce the risk of suffering a fall and improve the quality of life in older people; to increase the replicability of these training programs; and to facilitate, in the future, the establishing of dose/response relationships.
Read the detailed description
Fifty-seven physically active older adults (22 men and 35 women) participated in the study. All participants were assessed on two occasions prior to the intervention (pre-test 1 and pre-test 2), and two after the intervention (post-test 1 and post-test 2) using the same outcome measures to assess training effects. The testing sessions included: (i) core stability assessment using an unstable sitting test with force platforms; (ii) evaluation of core stabilization exercises-later used in the training program-via smartphone accelerometry; (iii) assessment of postural control and gait under multiple conditions using force platforms and smartphone accelerometry; and (iv) functional mobility testing.
Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: two experimental groups (low-intensity and high-intensity core stability training) and a control group. The intervention consisted of a 6-week core stability training program performed twice per week. Each training session included four sets of one variation of four commonly used stabilization exercises targeting the core musculature: frontal bridge, back bridge, lateral bridge, and bird-dog. The two experimental training programs differed in exercise intensity, which was quantified using lumbopelvic accelerations measured via smartphone accelerometers. Participants in the low-intensity group performed exercise variations that elicited oscillation ranges of 0.20-0.30 m/s² for the frontal bridge and 0.15-0.25 m/s² for the lateral bridge, back bridge, and bird-dog exercises during pre-testing. Participants in the high-intensity group performed exercise variations corresponding to oscillation ranges of 0.30-0.40 m/s² for the frontal bridge and 0.25-0.35 m/s² for the lateral bridge, back bridge, and bird-dog exercises. Exercise duration was standardized to 25 seconds for both experimental groups. Training loads were reassessed and adjusted every two weeks throughout the intervention period.
For statistical analysis, means and standard deviations were calculated for all outcomes using both intention-to-treat and per-protocol approaches. Data normality and homogeneity of variance were assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk and Levene's tests, respectively. Two-way mixed-design ANOVAs were conducted with time (pre- vs. post-intervention) as the within-subject factor and group (low intensity, high intensity, control) as the between-subject factor to examine differences in trunk stability, postural control, gait, and functional mobility. Effect sizes were calculated using partial eta squared (η²p). Paired t-tests were performed to examine pre-post changes within each group. All statistical analyses were conducted using JASP software (version 0.18.3; University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands), with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
- Conditions
- Core Stability
- Being tested
- Core stability training
- Keywords
- intensity, smartphone, balance, older adults, functional mobility, core stability, postural control
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Core stability trainingOther
Also called TI2018-098893-BI00
This intervention includes an individualized core stability training in older adults
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental: Low Intensity training group | Experimental | Low Intensity training group will complete a 6 week core stability training program with low intensity/oscillation exercises Receives: Other: Core stability training |
| Experimental: High Intensity training group | Experimental | High Intensity training group will complete a 6 week core stability training program with high intensity/oscillation exercises Receives: Other: Core stability training |
| No Intervention: Control group | No intervention | Control group will have 6 weeks with no intervention before post-test |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Mean radial error of center of pressure in sitting and tandem condition
Postural control in sitting condition over an unstable seat evaluated through the mean radial error of center of pressure displacement
Measured: Baseline - 6 weeks
Pelvis mean acceleration
Pelvis mean acceleration in different isometric stabilization exercises measured with a smartphone accelerometer
Measured: Time Frame: Baseline - every 2 weeks up to 6 weeks
Functional mobility
Time in Timed Up and Go Test
Measured: Baseline - 6 weeks
Balance and gait under different conditions
A smartphone app was used to analyze performance on both outcomes.
Measured: Baseline-6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Jan 2026
- Study start7 Jan 2022
- Primary completion23 Dec 2022
- Study completion23 Dec 2022
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Core StabilityStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 57 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, CASTO JUAN RECIO, Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche
- Investigators
- Francisco J Vera Garcia, Professor, Principal investigator, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche.
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07315321
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- TI2018-098893-BI00
- Other IDs
- TI2018-098893-BI00
- Acronym
- TCS-OA
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 18 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 2 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: All Individual Participant Data (IPD) that underlie results in a publication.
Publications
Heredia-Elvar JR, Juan-Recio C, Prat-Luri A, Barbado D, Vera-Garcia FJ. Observational Screening Guidelines and Smartphone Accelerometer Thresholds to Establish the Intensity of Some of the Most Popular Core Stability Exercises. Front Physiol. 2021 Oct 22;12:751569. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.751569. eCollection 2021.
PubMed 34744790Barbado D, Irles-Vidal B, Prat-Luri A, Garcia-Vaquero MP, Vera-Garcia FJ. Training intensity quantification of core stability exercises based on a smartphone accelerometer. PLoS One. 2018 Dec 5;13(12):e0208262. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208262. eCollection 2018.
PubMed 30517171
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 2 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Two Core Stability Training Programs of Different Intensity on Trunk Function, Postural Control and Functional Mobility in Older Adults: a Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07315321
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- TCS-OA / TI2018-098893-BI00
- Conditions
- Core Stability
- Keywords
- intensity, smartphone, balance, older adults, functional mobility, core stability, postural control
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 57 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad Miguel Hernandez de ElcheUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 7 Jan 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 23 Dec 2022 (actual)
- Study completion
- 23 Dec 2022 (actual)
- First posted
- 2 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The increase in life expectancy, together with the high levels of physical inactivity in the population over 65 years of age, has generated a significant reduction in the quality of life of elderly people, characterized by the increase in functional dependence and risk of falling. In this sense, falls in this population are a serious public health problem, as they can cause fractures that not only exacerbate functional deterioration but can also lead to death. The current literature shows that low muscle strength and poor trunk stability, caused by aging, are associated with low balance levels and consequently with an increased risk of suffering a fall. Thus, there are many studies that have tried to develop trunk muscle conditioning programs as a preventive tool to improve balance, gait and functional mobility in older people. However, these exercise programs have not always shown as positive results as would be expected. One of the main reasons that could explain the heterogeneity of these results is the lack of valid and reliable protocols to objectively measure the intensity of trunk stabilization exercises. This makes trunk training program control and individualization difficult and hinders the proper dose-response characterization of these programs in older people.
Therefore, this project aims to develop new protocols based on low cost and easy to use tools to objectively assess trunk stabilization exercise intensity/difficulty in any sports, geriatric or research facility. This would allow: to perform individualized trunk exercise programs to develop balance, reduce the risk of suffering a fall and improve the quality of life in older people; to increase the replicability of these training programs; and to facilitate, in the future, the establishing of dose/response relationships.
Detailed description
Fifty-seven physically active older adults (22 men and 35 women) participated in the study. All participants were assessed on two occasions prior to the intervention (pre-test 1 and pre-test 2), and two after the intervention (post-test 1 and post-test 2) using the same outcome measures to assess training effects. The testing sessions included: (i) core stability assessment using an unstable sitting test with force platforms; (ii) evaluation of core stabilization exercises-later used in the training program-via smartphone accelerometry; (iii) assessment of postural control and gait under multiple conditions using force platforms and smartphone accelerometry; and (iv) functional mobility testing.
Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: two experimental groups (low-intensity and high-intensity core stability training) and a control group. The intervention consisted of a 6-week core stability training program performed twice per week. Each training session included four sets of one variation of four commonly used stabilization exercises targeting the core musculature: frontal bridge, back bridge, lateral bridge, and bird-dog. The two experimental training programs differed in exercise intensity, which was quantified using lumbopelvic accelerations measured via smartphone accelerometers. Participants in the low-intensity group performed exercise variations that elicited oscillation ranges of 0.20-0.30 m/s² for the frontal bridge and 0.15-0.25 m/s² for the lateral bridge, back bridge, and bird-dog exercises during pre-testing. Participants in the high-intensity group performed exercise variations corresponding to oscillation ranges of 0.30-0.40 m/s² for the frontal bridge and 0.25-0.35 m/s² for the lateral bridge, back bridge, and bird-dog exercises. Exercise duration was standardized to 25 seconds for both experimental groups. Training loads were reassessed and adjusted every two weeks throughout the intervention period.
For statistical analysis, means and standard deviations were calculated for all outcomes using both intention-to-treat and per-protocol approaches. Data normality and homogeneity of variance were assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk and Levene's tests, respectively. Two-way mixed-design ANOVAs were conducted with time (pre- vs. post-intervention) as the within-subject factor and group (low intensity, high intensity, control) as the between-subject factor to examine differences in trunk stability, postural control, gait, and functional mobility. Effect sizes were calculated using partial eta squared (η²p). Paired t-tests were performed to examine pre-post changes within each group. All statistical analyses were conducted using JASP software (version 0.18.3; University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands), with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental: Low Intensity training group | Experimental | Other: Core stability trainingLow Intensity training group will complete a 6 week core stability training program with low intensity/oscillation exercises |
| Experimental: High Intensity training group | Experimental | Other: Core stability trainingHigh Intensity training group will complete a 6 week core stability training program with high intensity/oscillation exercises |
| No Intervention: Control group | No intervention | –Control group will have 6 weeks with no intervention before post-test |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 65 to 80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- People between 65-80 years of age
- Independent walking
- Habitual residence in the province of Alicante
- People without osteoporosis, sarcopenia and/or fragility
- Physical active people.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Having a history of cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal or any other type of alterations that contraindicate the practice of physical exercise
- The existence of any type of spinal pathology or low back pain during the study or in the 12 months prior to the study
- Having undergone abdominal or lumbar surgery
- Presenting any osteo-articular and/or muscle-tendon pathology that could be aggravated by the different exploratory tests proposed
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Core stability trainingAlso: TI2018-098893-BI00This intervention includes an individualized core stability training in older adults | Other | Experimental: High Intensity training group, Experimental: Low Intensity training group |
Primary outcome
Mean radial error of center of pressure in sitting and tandem condition
Time frame: Baseline - 6 weeks
Postural control in sitting condition over an unstable seat evaluated through the mean radial error of center of pressure displacement
Pelvis mean acceleration
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline - every 2 weeks up to 6 weeks
Pelvis mean acceleration in different isometric stabilization exercises measured with a smartphone accelerometer
Functional mobility
Time frame: Baseline - 6 weeks
Time in Timed Up and Go Test
Balance and gait under different conditions
Time frame: Baseline-6 weeks
A smartphone app was used to analyze performance on both outcomes.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 2 Jan 2026.
- Background: PubMed 34744790Heredia-Elvar JR, Juan-Recio C, Prat-Luri A, Barbado D, Vera-Garcia FJ. Observational Screening Guidelines and Smartphone Accelerometer Thresholds to Establish the Intensity of Some of the Most Popular Core Stability Exercises. Front Physiol. 2021 Oct 22;12:751569. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.751569. eCollection 2021.
- Background: PubMed 30517171Barbado D, Irles-Vidal B, Prat-Luri A, Garcia-Vaquero MP, Vera-Garcia FJ. Training intensity quantification of core stability exercises based on a smartphone accelerometer. PLoS One. 2018 Dec 5;13(12):e0208262. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208262. eCollection 2018.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. All Individual Participant Data (IPD) that underlie results in a publication.
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Effects of Dead Bug Exercises With and Without Diaphragmatic Breathing in Patients With Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain.
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The Effects of Synchronous and Asynchronous Pilates Training Based on Telerehabilitation on Core Stabilization, Balance, Cognitive Functions, and Quality of Life in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
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Enrolling by invitation
Online-Delivered Core Stability Exercises in Postpartum Women
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Francisco J Vera Garcia, Professor principal investigator
Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Core stability training in people with Core Stability, run by Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche at 1 site in Spain.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Spain. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Mean radial error of center of pressure in sitting and tandem condition (time frame: Baseline - 6 weeks). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07315321, which also lists 2 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 2 Jan 2026.