Postural Control and Functional Performance After Core Training In Young Soccer Players

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effects of an 8-week core training on the balance and functional performance of young soccer players. Thirty young soccer players (age: 16.23 ± 0.69 years) were included in the study. Soccer players were randomly divided into two equal groups: a control group and training group. Balance performance was measured with Balance Error Scoring System. Pro Agility Test was used for determining agility. The standing broad jump test used in order to detect explosive power of leg muscles was conducted in accordance with Eurofit Test Battery. Standing broad jump values were gathered for both the dominant and non-dominant legs. Triple-Hop Test was used to specify muscle strength, power and balance properties of subjects. Mann-Whitney U test for comparisons between groups and Wilcoxon test for pretest-posttest comparison were used. It was observed that standing broad jump for the dominant leg of the training group increased after 8-week core training (p<0.05), but there was no statistically significant change (p>0.05) in the control group. After the 8-week core training, standing broad jump performance with double-leg did not show any statistically significant differences for both of the groups (p>0.05). After the training, triple-hop test performance in the training group increased significantly (p<0.05), but there were no changes for the control group (p>0.05). The pretest-posttest performance results of subjects revealed that agility test completion time of experimental group significantly decreased for 1. 10 yard (p<0.05), 2. 10 yard (p<0.05) and totally (p<0.05). A similar decrease was observed in the control group as well (1. 10 yard: Z=-2.201; p<0.05, 2. 10 yard: Z=-1.992; p<0.05) and totally Z=-2.201; p<0.05). After 8 weeks of training, a statistically significant change was not observed in soccer players’ balance performance as measured by Balance Error Scoring System for both the training group and control group in all BESS scores (p>0.05). In conclusion, the results of the research indicate that a soccer-specific 8-week core training program can improve the performance of broad jump and triple jump in non-dominant legs of young soccer players. On the other hand, the results indicate that this may not affect long jump, agility and balance performance in dominant leg.