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 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 as control group and training group. The 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 of the legs, dominant leg and non-dominant leg. 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 in 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 control group. After 8-week core training, standing broad jump performance with double-leg didn’t show any statistically significant difference 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 wasn’t any change for control group (p>0.05). When pretest-posttest performance results of subjects are compared it has been observed that agility test completion time of experimental group significantly decreased as 1. 10 yard (p<0.05), 2. 10 yard (p<0.05) and totally (p<0.05). On the other hand, a similar decrease was observed in 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 an 8-week training, an statistically significant change wasn’t observed in soccer players’ balance performance 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 the 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 indicates that it may not affect long jump, agility and balance performance in dominant leg.