Table 4.
Mean scores for back function parameters in the intervention and the control groups at baseline and at post-test
| Back function parameter | Mean ± SD | Statistics | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre | Post | T × C | |||
| Intervention | Control | Intervention | Control | F(df = 1) | |
| Trunk muscle endurance | |||||
| Trunk flexor endurance time (s) | 41.7 ± 27.1 | 48.7 ± 27.8 | 49.2 ± 28.7 | 44.2 ± 24.6 | 4.066* |
| Trunk extensor endurance time (s) | 125.3 ± 55.2 | 159.5 ± 62.3 | 166.2 ± 58.3 | 182.1 ± 61.6 | 3.087$ |
| Ratio (flexor/extensor) | 0.42 ± 0.36 | 0.32 ± 0.19 | 0.30 ± 0.18 | 0.25 ± 0.19 | 0.437 |
| Leg muscle capacity | |||||
| Maximal torque/body weight (%) | 121.1 ± 21.2 | 130.3 ± 16.3 | 132.2 ± 2.9 | 141.7 ± 20.2 | 0.001 |
| Total work (Joule) | 290.3 ± 65.1 | 289.1 ± 53.6 | 441.9 ± 99.1 | 403.2 ± 90.3 | 2.399 |
| Average power (Watt) | 37.3 ± 10.9 | 37.5 ± 8.1 | 53.5 ± 15.5 | 49.4 ± 12.3 | 1.086 |
| Spinal curvature in seating posture | |||||
| Thoracic curvature (deg) | 17.8 ± 6.7 | 18.2 ± 7.1 | 17.9 ± 6.9 | 21.9 ± 6.3 | 2.714 |
| Lumbar curvature (deg) | 15.3 ± 4.6 | 11.6 ± 3.4 | 12.9 ± 3.9 | 11.4 ± 4.6 | 1.038 |
Control group: n = 28, T × C = time × condition (interaction effect), Intervention group: n = 41
SD standard deviation
*P < 0.05, $P < 0.09