The Effect of Core Stability Training on the Balance Ability of Young Male Basketball Players

Abstract

Abstract Background Teenage male basketball players often struggle to adapt to high-intensity physical confrontations. This leads to decreased shooting accuracy and inadequate defensive capabilities. Methods This study primarily assessed the effects of a 10-week core stability training program compared to traditional strength training on the balance abilities of teenage male basketball players. Three balance assessment indicators were selected: dominant-side closed-eye single-leg stance, eight-point star excursion balance test, and core endurance test in four directions. Results The results showed that: (1) there were significant differences in the scores of both groups in the closed-eye single-leg stance test before and after training (p < 0.01), (2) in the eight-point star excursion balance test, except for no significant difference in the scores in direction C when using the left foot for support before and after training in the experimental group (p > 0.05), the scores when using both feet for support in other directions showed significant differences (p < 0.05) or highly significant differences (p < 0.01) before and after training; (3) in the core endurance test in four directions, there were no significant differences in the scores of the control group before and after training (p > 0.05), while significant differences existed in the scores of the experimental group before and after training (p < 0.05). Conclusion Core stability training significantly enhanced the balance abilities of teenage basketball players and proved to be superior to traditional strength training in improving balance capabilities.