FUNCTIONAL DEMAND AND ITS REPERCUSSIONS ON LUMBOPELVIC STABILIZATION AND TRUNK EXTENSOR MUSCLE FUNCTION: A CROSS-SECTIONAL OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Introduction: the influence of functional demand on clinical outcomes related to core muscle function remains unclear. Objective: to evaluate the impact of functional demand status on lumbopelvic stabilization capacity and the various manifestations of trunk extensor muscle strength. Methods: cross-sectional observational study carried out in a controlled environment, with specific assessments of lumbopelvic stability and muscular function of the trunk extensors. Sixty volunteers aged between 18 and 30, divided into three groups (physically inactive; physically active; and athletes) based on their functional status measured by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Deficits relating to lumbopelvic stability (static and dynamic stability) and muscle function (rate of force development, peak force and maximum isometric force) were assessed using a pressure biofeedback unit and a traction dynamometer, respectively. Statistical analyses used the generalized linear model and effect sizes. Results: the athletes exhibited a substantially elevated energy expenditure in comparison to the other groups. The findings of this study indicate that the functional demand status of athletes engenders enhancements in both lumbopelvic stability and components of muscle function, in contrast to non-athletes, with moderate to large effect sizes. However, physical activity did not exert an influence on these outcomes when contrasted with the physically inactive group. Conclusions: only the physical demand status of athletes positively impacted lumbopelvic stabilization outcomes and characteristics of trunk extensor muscle function.