Effect of Core Stabilization Training on Dynamic Balance in Professional Soccer Players

Abstract

<b>Objectives</b> : Core Stability Training (CST) is widely used as a sport training and therapeutic exercise. The current study was aimed to determine the effectiveness of the CST in enhancing dynamic balance (DB) in soccer players. <b>Methods:</b> A convenience sample of 40 professional soccer players with mean age of 18±2 years were divided into 2 groups, experimental and control group (n=20) in each group. The experimental group participants were given CST. Both the experimental and control groups were allowed to follow their normal playing and training schedule. The total study duration was for 4 weeks. Core Stability (CS) and DB outcomes were measured between pre and post intervention at 3 phases using Double Straight Limb Lowering Test (DSLLT) and Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). <b>Results:</b> Overall results revealed significant differences of DB and CS within the experimental group as compared to the control group (p<0.05). The post hoc analysis observed that significant improvement in the DB after the completion of phase-II, however experimental group showed significant improvement in CS even between phaseI and phase-II, however maximum improvement observed after the completion of phase-III (p<0.05). <b>Conclusions:</b> CST can be added for enhancing the DB and CS in players in addition to their training sessions. The current study observed that minimum duration of 2 weeks CST requires improving the DB whereas and CS can show improvement even after one week of CST in soccer players.