ABSTRACT
This study investigated the relationship between parity and abdominal muscle strength using the Kraus-Weber test. Female volunteers (700) comprising 350 post-parous and 350 nil-parous subjects participated in the study. Physical characteristics of the subjects (age, body weight, height and ponderal index) were measured while the abdominal muscle strength was assessed using three of the six-item Kraus-Weber tests. Results were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Independent t-test showed a significant difference in values of the abdominal. muscle strength of the post-parous and nil-parous subjects (P < 0.05). Pearson's correlation's matrix showed an inverse relationship between parity and scores on the Kraus-Weber test in the post-parous subjects. A significant difference was observed across the parity groups in age, Ponderal index and scores on the Kraus-Weber tests. It was concluded that the abdominal muscle strength of the post-parous subjects was low compared to nil-parous subjects. Due to the ease of application and its non-dependence on the use of sophisticated equipment, it was recommended that the Kraus-Weber test should be used for both subjective assessment and training of abdominal muscle strengths.
