PMS97 - THE EFFECT OF NEUROMUSCULAR AND NEUROMUSCULAR-CORE TRAINING ON INJURY PREVENTION

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of a neuromuscular training program on lower – and upper extremity’s joint stability, static balancing capacity, core muscle strength supplemented with core stability exercises. 26 junior female handball players were involved in the study (N=26). They were divided into two groups: 12 athletes (mean age=13.67) were involved in the Neuromuscular training group (N); and 14 athletes (mean age=13.36) belonged to the Neuromuscular-core training group (NC). Flamingo test, Star Excursion Balance test (SEBT), Y-Balance test, Plank- and Side Plank test were used. We performed the measurements before and after the six-week-long exercise program during the season in 2018. Data were processed by SPSS 20.0 version. Significance level was p=0.05. In both groups significant improvement was observed for all the variables (p <0.05). In the NC group there was greater improvement in most of the variables than in the N group, except for the right lower extremity static balancing capacity (N p=0.000002; NC p=0.000021) and in the Y-Balance test for the right upper extremity supero-lateral direction (N p=0.0003; NC p=0.0008). There was a greater improvement in NC group in the Plank, Side-Plank and SEBT except for the left lower extremity medial direction (N p=0.004 NC p=0.024) compared to the N group. The six-week-long training program can be suitable for developing the balance, joint stability and core muscle power. The supplemented training program with core stability can be more effective in improving the neuromuscular control.