Effect of Plank versus Reverse Plank Exercise on core muscle strength, static balance and dynamic balance in asymptomatic young adults – Open labelled Randomized Controlled Trial.

Approval is Obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee. Participants will be screened

according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and a written informed consent will be obtained in

the language best understood by them. Random Allocation will be done by the SNOSE (sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes) technique using computer-generated numbers into Group A and B. The dominant leg will be assessed

using the ball kicking test which involves placing the ball in front of the participant and asking him to

kick the ball. The leg used to kick the ball is considered as dominant leg by which the assessment will be done. The pre-test assessment of height and weight and history of injury and involvement of participant in any exercise programme will be done.

These tests will be used as a screening test for recruiting participants along with other inclusion criteria. Pre-test assessment of Core muscle strength by using Pressure Biofeedback Unit, Static balance by using Single Leg Stance Test and Dynamic balance by using the Y-Balance Test (YBT) will be done and values will be noted. Group A will receive Plank exercise and Group B will receive Reverse plank exercise.

Subjects in the plank exercise group will be explained about the proper method of Plank application technique. Subjects will be prone lying with hands by side of shoulder. Then the subject will be asked to lift the body up on the forearm and toes.. Same procedure will be repeated to make the subject familiar with the reverse plank position. Plank position will be achieved again and subjects will be encouraged to hold it for the predetermined period of time. Week-wise progression with respect to timing will be done.The progression in protocol will be as follow- WEEK 1- Plank Exercise 10 sec. hold*5 reps, with 30 sec. rest in between, 5 days a week; WEEK 2- Plank Exercise 20 sec. hold*5 reps, with 30 sec. rest in between, 5 days a week; WEEK 3- Plank Exercise 30 sec. hold*5 reps, with 30 sec. rest in between, 5 days a week; WEEK 4- Plank Exercise 40 sec. hold*5 reps, with 30 sec. rest in between, 5 days a week.

Subjects in Reverse Plank exercise group will be explained about the proper method of Reverse Plank application technique.

Subject will be in supine position with both shoulders internally

rotated and abducted, elbows flexed and wrist extended. Subject will

be then asked to extend shoulder and elbow so that the reverse plank

position will be achieved. Same procedure will be repeated to make

the subject familiar with the reverse plank position.

Then the Reverse Plank position will be achieved and held.

Progression with respect to timing and position will be done as

Post test assessment will be done after 2 weeks and 4 weeks will be done and values will be noted. Normality of numerical data will be checked using Shapiro – Wilk test or Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Depending on the normality of data, statistical tests will be determined. Depending on the normality of data, statistical tests will be determined. Test that will be applied for intra-group analysis- Paired t-test Test that will be applied for inter-group analysis- Unpaired t-test

If data does not follow normality Test that will be done for intra-group analysis Wilcoxon signed rank test. Test that will be done for inter-group analysis will be done Mann Whitney test. Keeping alpha error at 5% and Beta error at 20%, power at 80%, p<0.05 will be considered statistically significant. Statistical Analysis will be done and results will be obtained