The effect of “the core conditioning exercises” using the stretch pole on thoracic expansion difference in healthy middle-aged and elderly persons

SummaryObjectiveWe investigated the effects of the Core Conditioning exercises (CC) using the Stretch Pole. We hypothesized that thoracic expansion difference is better improved by CC with the Stretch Pole than CC without it.MethodsParticipants were 14 healthy middle-aged and elderly females. Participants were randomly allocated to CC with the stretch pole (SP group) or CC without it (control [C] group). The protocol for both groups consisted of 10 exercises aiming to relax the thoracic and lumbar muscles. The exercises were regularly performed twice a day for one week. Thoracic mobility was measured at the axillary and the 10th rib levels and the thoracic elevation difference was calculated.Resultsand conclusion: The post-intervention values of the SP group were higher than the C group at both the axillary and 10th rib levels. These results indicate that CC using the Stretch Pole improves thoracic mobility.