Validation and Application of Two New Core Stability Tests in Professional Football

Saioa Etxaleku,Jaime García Arroyo,Iñigo Sarriegi,Mikel Izquierdo,Iosu Sesma,Eder Bikandi,Igor Setuain

doi:10.3390/app10165495

Saioa Etxaleku, Jaime García Arroyo + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app10165495

Copy DOI

Abstract

The purpose of the first study was to validate two newly proposed core stability tests; Prone Plank test (PPT) and Closed Kinetic Chain test (CCT), for evaluating the strength of the body core. Subsequently, these tests were employed in a longitudinal prospective study implementing a core stability training program with a professional Spanish football team. For the validation study, 22 physically active men (Tegner Scale 6–7) performed three trials of the PPT and CCT tests in two different testing sessions separated by one week. In the longitudinal study, 13 male professional football players were equally evaluated (PPT and CCT) before and after the competitive session in which they completed a core training program. Intra-/intersession, and intertester, reliability was analyzed. PPT and CCT demonstrated excellent to good test–retest reliability and acceptable error measurement (ICCs for intratester and intrasession reliability ranged from 0.77 to 0.94 for the PPT, and 0.8–0.9 for the CCT) in all but one of the testing conditions (female tester for CCT test; ICC = 0.38). Significant improvements on core strength were found from pre to post evaluation in both the PPT (p < 0.01) and CCT (p < 0.01) after the implementation of a core training program in professional football players.

Highlights

The “Core musculature” term refers to the combination of muscles that surround and comprise the lumbopelvic region, and act synergistically to stabilize the trunk and hip, contributing to the movement control and stability of more distal joints [1]
We evaluated a professional football team before and after a standardized core training program in order to elucidate if a motor control-based progression would have any effect on the player’s ability to produce isometric force in the previously validated tests
Altman plots intrasession intratester intratester intersession reliability

Summary

Introduction

The “Core musculature” term refers to the combination of muscles that surround and comprise the lumbopelvic region, and act synergistically to stabilize the trunk and hip, contributing to the movement control and stability of more distal joints [1]. Core stability, defined as the ability to control the position and motion of the trunk over the pelvis, governs optimal force production, transfer and application to more distal segments in many functional athletic activities [2]. Core stabilization precedes gross motor movement, as the central nervous system activates the trunk musculature before limb movement to provide the stability and stiffness of the trunk and pelvis in anticipation of the forces produced at this level [3]. “Core stability” is accomplished through a complex interaction of neuromuscular coordination, proprioception, strength and endurance of the trunk and hip musculature.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion