Adölesan Erkek Futbol Oyuncularında Gövde Stabilizasyon Egzersizlerinin Topa Vuruş Hızı, Koşu Hızı ve Çeviklik Performansına Etkisi

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of the core stability training program on ball-kicking velocity, running speed, and agility in adolescent male football players. Thirty-six male football players aged between 12 to 14 were divided into the training and control groups. Before implementing the core stability training program, participants’ ball-kicking velocity, sprint speed, and agility performance were measured with a Bushnell velocity radar gun, 20 m sprint test, and 505 agility test, respectively, in both the training and control groups. After the baseline measurements, the training group followed the core stability training program three days a week for eight weeks in addition to the routine training program, while the control group only followed the routine training program. After completing the core stability training program the ball-kicking velocity, sprint speed, and agility performance were re-measured in both groups. Significant improvements were detected in all parameters, i.e., ball-kicking velocity, sprint speed, and agility performance in the training group (p<0.05). On the other hand, in the control group, no significant change was detected in the ball-kicking velocity and sprint speed (p>0.05). In contrast, a considerable improvement was observed in agility performance (p<0.05) in control group. Inter-group comparisons revealed statistically significant differences between the groups in ball-kicking velocity and sprint speed in favour of the training group (p<0.05). In contrast, no significant difference was found between the groups in agility performance (p>0.05). In conclusion, this study’s findings proved that core stability exercises can improve the ball-kicking velocity and sprint speed performance parameters in adolescent male football players.