Is the side bridge test valid and reliable for assessing trunk lateral flexor endurance in recreational female athletes?

Key Points

1. The side bridge test is a popular assessment of trunk lateral flexor endurance, but its reliability and validity have rarely been assessed, especially in females.

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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE

The side bridge test is a popular assessment of trunk lateral flexor endurance, which is believed to be important for sports performance and low back pain (1). However, previous studies have found that participants often discontinue the side bridge test due to factors other than trunk lateral flexor fatigue (e.g. fatigue or pain in the extremities) (2,3). Additionally, anthropometric characteristics like body mass may influence performance.

There is a lack of studies analyzing the validity of the side bridge test for specifically measuring trunk lateral flexor endurance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the test-retest reliability and validity of the side bridge test for assessing trunk lateral flexor endurance.

The side bridge test is a popular assessment of trunk lateral flexor endurance, which is believed to be important for sports performance and low back pain.

With the side bridge test, when comparing individuals or groups with differing anthropometric features, body mass should also be considered.

METHODS

• Twenty-four healthy, physically active females (25 ± 4 years old) participated in two test sessions, one week apart, for test-retest reliability.

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