Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
This study aims to examine the effects of a 6-week core stabilization exercise program on balance, coordination, and core endurance parameters in young soccer players. Soccer is a sport that requires multifaceted skills such as balance, agility, and endurance, and it is well-known that stabilization of the lumbopelvic region (core) plays a critical role in enhancing performance and reducing the risk of injury.
The study will include male volunteer athletes aged 14-17 years from the Alayköy Football Club Under-17 team in Cyprus. Participants will be randomly assigned to an exercise group (n=10) and a control group (n=10). The exercise group will undergo a progressive core stabilization program (plank, side plank, dead bug, etc.) twice a week for 6 weeks in addition to their routine training, while the control group will continue only with routine soccer training. Data will be collected using the Y-Balance Test, Pro-Agility Test, Squat Repetition Test, McGill Core Endurance Tests (Flexion and Lateral Bridge), and Prone Extension Test. Data analysis will be performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 27.0; the Wilcoxon test will be used for within-group changes, and the Mann-Whitney U test will be used for between-group comparisons. Ethical committee approval was obtained from the Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee (BAYEK) of the European University of Lefke, and informed consent forms will be collected from participants and their parents.
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Stabilization Exercise Group | Experimental | Participants in this group will perform a six-week progressive core stabilization exercise program in addition to their regular soccer training. |
|
| Control Group | No Intervention | Participants in this group will continue their routine soccer training without additional core stabilization exercises. |
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Stabilization Exercise Program | Behavioral | A progressive six-week core stabilization training program performed twice per week in addition to regular soccer training. The program includes exercises such as planks, side planks, dead bugs, Russian twists, and mountain climbers. The duration and difficulty will be gradually increased over the six-week period. Each session will last approximately 60 minutes including warm-up and cool-down. Exercises will be performed in four phases: warm-up exercises (pelvic tilt, cat-cow, dynamic side steps), stabilization-focused exercises (plank, side plank, dead bug, glute bridge), strength-focused exercises (Russian twists, mountain climbers, leg raises, hollow body hold), and cool-down exercises (child's pose, seated forward bend, cobra stretch). |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic Balance Performance | Dynamic balance will be assessed using the Y-Balance Test (Star Excursion Balance Test), a reliable field-based measure of lower extremity neuromuscular control, postural stability, and functional symmetry. Participants will stand on a single leg at the center of a Y-shaped device and reach with the contralateral leg in three directions: anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral. Each reach direction will be performed three times. The mean of the three reach distances will be calculated and used as the dynamic balance score. Measurements will be performed at baseline and after the 6-week intervention period. | 6 week |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Agility and Coordination | Agility and change-of-direction speed will be evaluated using the Pro-Agility Test (5-10-5 shuttle run). Participants will start from a central line, sprint 5 meters to one side, touch the line, change direction and sprint 10 meters to the opposite side, touch the line, and sprint 5 meters back to the starting point. The time to complete the course will be recorded in seconds using a stopwatch. Each participant will perform multiple trials. Measurements will be conducted at baseline and after the 6-week intervention period. |
Not provided
Inclusion Criteria:
Be a member of the Alayköy Football Club Under-17 football team Be between the ages of 14 and 17 years Be a male football player Be able to participate in training sessions both in person and online Be able to demonstrate regular soccer training participation of at least three days per week Have participated in regular soccer training for at least one year Not have suffered a serious injury, acute health problem, or surgical intervention in the last three months that would prevent sports participation Agree to participate in the study voluntarily Have written informed consent signed by both the participant and parent or guardian
Exclusion Criteria:
Not be a member of the Alayköy Football Club Under-17 football team Be unable to participate in training sessions in person or online Have a history of lower or upper extremity surgical intervention, neurological disease, or serious musculoskeletal system injury within the last six months Demonstrate absenteeism that would interfere with participation in the exercise program or test protocols Fail to complete the test battery due to lack of motivation or cooperation issues during the evaluation process Be enrolled in a structured exercise or rehabilitation program outside the study protocol during the intervention period
This study will include only male participants.
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Beraat AlptuÄŸ, MD, PhD | European University of Lefke | Study Director |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alayköy Football Club | Nicosia | Nicosia | Cyprus |
| PubMed Identifier | Type | Citation | Retractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Background | Sayers, S. P. (2007). High-speed power training: A functional assessment of squat performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 21(1), 64-68. | ||
| Background | McGill, S. (2010). Core training: Evidence translating to better performance and injury prevention. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 32(3), 33-46. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0b013e3181df4521 | ||
| 10453772 | Background | McGill SM, Childs A, Liebenson C. Endurance times for low back stabilization exercises: clinical targets for testing and training from a normal database. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1999 Aug;80(8):941-4. doi: 10.1016/s0003-9993(99)90087-4. | |
| Background | Sassi, R. H., Impellizzeri, F. M., Maffiuletti, N. A., Girard, O., & Della Valle, V. (2009). Reliability and validity of a new test of change of direction in soccer players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 23(3), 1046-1051. |
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Participants will be randomly assigned to either a core stabilization exercise group or a control group that will continue routine soccer training.
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
Not provided
|
| 6 week |
| Lower Extremity Performance | Lower extremity muscular performance will be assessed using a bodyweight squat repetition test. Participants will stand with feet shoulder-width apart and perform squats to approximately 90-degree knee flexion while maintaining proper trunk alignment. The number of correctly performed repetitions within a 30-second time interval will be recorded. Measurements will be performed at baseline and after the 6-week intervention period. | 6 week |
| Core Flexor Endurance | Core flexor endurance will be assessed using the McGill Core Endurance Test flexor endurance test. Participants will maintain a static sit-up position with the trunk supported at approximately 60 degrees and the knees flexed at 90 degrees while the lower body is stabilized. The time the position is held without loss of posture will be recorded in seconds. Measurements will be performed at baseline and after the 6-week intervention period. | 6 week |
| Core Extensor Endurance | Core extensor endurance will be assessed using the Prone Extension Test (Superman Test). Participants will be positioned prone on a flat surface. The upper extremities will be placed in shoulder flexion with elbows fully extended and lifted at head level while the lower extremities are maintained in neutral hip position. Participants will be instructed to simultaneously lift the trunk to sternum level and raise the lower extremities from the ground to achieve a full trunk extension position. The time sustained in the correct position will be recorded in seconds using a stopwatch. Measurements will be performed at baseline and after the 6-week intervention period. | 6 week |
| Lateral Core Endurance | Lateral core endurance will be assessed using the McGill Core Endurance Test lateral bridge test. Participants will support their body on one forearm and the side of the foot, maintaining a straight line from head to feet. The holding time in seconds for each side will be recorded. Measurements will be taken at baseline and after the 6-week intervention period. | 6 week |
| 24183777 | Background | Shaffer SW, Teyhen DS, Lorenson CL, Warren RL, Koreerat CM, Straseske CA, Childs JD. Y-balance test: a reliability study involving multiple raters. Mil Med. 2013 Nov;178(11):1264-70. doi: 10.7205/MILMED-D-13-00222. |
| 21509114 | Background | Plisky PJ, Gorman PP, Butler RJ, Kiesel KB, Underwood FB, Elkins B. The reliability of an instrumented device for measuring components of the star excursion balance test. N Am J Sports Phys Ther. 2009 May;4(2):92-9. |