Effect of BMI on static balance and core endurance in normal young adults and overweight or obese young adults in 18-25 age group: A pilot study

Background: Core endurance is related to lower extremity function including balance. When an external perturbation disrupts one’s balance, movement strategies act in which along with the lower limb muscles, trunk muscles are also activated to bring COG back to normal position. The purpose of this study was to find the effect of BMI on static balance and core endurance in normal young adults (18.5-22.9 kg/cm²) and overweight and obese young adults (≥23 kg/cm²).

Objective: To assess the endurance of core muscles of young adults using McGill’s Torso Endurance Test1 . To assess the static balance of young adults using single leg stance test. To find whether higher BMI has any effect on core endurance and static balance in individuals of young age group. 

Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 young adults in the age group of 18-25 of which 30 adults were with normal BMI (18.5-22.9 kg/cm²) and 30 adults were with higher BMI (≥23 kg/cm²). It was conducted at physiotherapy centre in a tertiary care hospital. Their BMI was noted and Single Leg Stance Test and McGill’s Core Endurance Test was administered to collect the data. Data analysis was done using SPSS 16 software and unpaired t- test was used to calculate the results.

Results: The study found that with increasing BMI, the core muscles become weak and have poor endurance (p=0.001, 0.029, 0.001, 0.002 for flexor endurance, right side bridge, left side bridge and  extensor endurance respectively) and because they are not activated in time due to adipose tissue infiltration, higher BMI individuals also have reduced balance (p=0.000 for single leg stance test) as compared to young adults with normal BMI.

Conclusion: According to the results of the study, young adults with higher BMI have reduced core endurance and lesser balance as compared to individuals with normal BMI.