ABSTRACT
Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease with a prevalence of about 29% in India. Reduced kinesthetic receptors in joint especially around the ligaments in the knee can lead to impaired proprioceptive information to an individual. Core muscle endurance deficiency leads to an increase in the loading of the knee, as well as in knee joint contact force during dynamic movement. Hence, poor core stability may be one of the contributing factors that lead to knee OA development as well as its progression. Objectives: The objective of this study was to find a correlation between core muscle endurance and balance in subjects with OA. Material and Methods: The observational study was conducted on 50 healthy, male and female subjects, age >40 years diagnosed with OA knee using convenience sampling. Subjects underwent core stability assessment consisting of plank, bilateral side bridge, Sorenson, and 60-degree trunk flexion endurance tests. Y-balance test -Lower quarter (YBT-LQ) was used to measure dynamic balance in individuals. The data were analyzed at a 5% level of significance using SPSS. Outcomes were correlated using Spearman’s correlation of coefficient. Results: Correlation was found between YBT-LQ and plank r = 0.402 (P = 0.004), YBT-LQ and right side bridge 0.425 (P = 0.002), YBT-LQ and left side bridge r = 0.490 (P = 0.001), YBT-LQ and 60° trunk flexion test r = 0.369 (P = 0.008), and YBT-LQ and Sorenson test r = 0.324 (P = 0.022). Conclusion: There is a weak to moderate correlation between core endurance and balance in subjects with OA knee.