EFFECTS OF CORE STABILITY ON JUNIOR MALE SOCCER PLAYERS’ BALANCE: RANDOMIZED CONTROL TRIAL

Abstract

Despite the widespread popularity of the Core Stability Trainings (CST), research has not yet to establish specific guidelines that provide the most beneficial and deliberate protocols for young athletes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 8-week Stable Surface Core Stability Training Program on static and dynamic balance tasks with dominant and non-dominant foot stance among twelve-year-old soccer players. Fifteen of the soccer players were in the experimental group (age=148.67 ±3.37 months, Height= 154.19±9.43 cm., Weight= 45.52±7.91kg.), 11 of them were (age=145.73 ±3.84 months, Height= 152.36±6.05 cm., Weight=45.19±7.85kg.) in the control group. Participants completed 16 CST sessions over 8 weeks. Protocol was progressive as from static stable surface movements to dynamic movements. Static and dynamic balance measured by Force Platform (Bertec, Custom Made). Participants performed time-to-stabilization test for dynamic balance task. Averaged mean sway value in Anterio-Posterior and Medio-Lateral direction was used to evaluate unilateral static balance task. The effect of CST program on dynamic balance performance was assessed by 2 x 2 (Group x Time) univariate analysis of variance with repeated measures and effect on static balance with univariate analysis of variance (2 x 2). Participating in soccer exercises improved dynamic balance for both dominant and non-dominant foot (p< .05). Only significant interaction of implementation and time was observed for dominant foot (p < .05). However, no main effect of CST on dynamic balance performance for dominant and non-dominant foot and no implementation x time interaction for non-dominant foot were observed (p> .05). Significant effect was observed for implementation in Medio-Lateral direction for dominant foot (p< .05). Eight week stable surface CST improved stabilization time and static balance in Medio-Lateral direction for dominant foot, but not for non-dominant among participants