Effects of an 8-week core stabilization exercise program on respiratory function, trunk muscle endurance, and postural stability in individuals receiving basic acting education

Efficient breathing, trunk muscle endurance, and postural stability are important physical components of acting performance. This study examined whether an 8-week core stabilization exercise (CSE) program could improve respiratory function, trunk muscle endurance, and postural stability in individuals receiving basic acting education. Thirty-three eligible individuals receiving basic acting education were randomly assigned to the Exercise Group ( n = 17) or the Control Group ( n = 16). Two participants in the Exercise Group withdrew for personal reasons before completion of the intervention. Therefore, 31 participants (Exercise Group, n = 15; Control Group, n = 16) completed the study and were included in the final analysis. Both groups received diaphragmatic breathing training, while the Exercise Group additionally participated in core stabilization exercises twice weekly for 8 weeks. Respiratory function, trunk muscle endurance, and postural stability were assessed before and after the intervention. Thirty-one participants completed the study (Exercise Group, n = 15; Control Group, n = 16). Between-group comparisons of changes showed greater improvements in FVC (mean difference = 1.31 L, p < 0.001), FEV1 (mean difference = 0.68 L, p = 0.040), and PEF (mean difference = 3.43 L/s, p < 0.001) in the Exercise Group compared with the Control Group. The corresponding between-group effect sizes were large for FVC (Cohen’s d = 1.73), FEV1 (d = 0.77), and PEF (d = 1.40). Significant between-group differences were also observed in selected trunk muscle endurance and dynamic balance outcomes. Adding CSE to diaphragmatic breathing training may be associated with greater improvements in respiratory function, trunk muscle endurance, and selected components of dynamic balance compared with diaphragmatic breathing training alone. These findings provide preliminary evidence that core stabilization may be a useful component of physical conditioning programs for individuals receiving basic acting education; however, the effects of CSE on acting performance should be investigated in future studies using direct measures of acting performance. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT06625164, retrospectively registered on 24 April 2024.