Core training for balance and performance

Introduction. Core stability and strength exercises are a common practice in fitness and sport world, despite the poor of scientific support about their relation with performance. Aim of the work: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of a core training program on functional dynamic balance in healthy collegiate people. Materials and Methods. Twenty seven students were involved in our study; they were divided in a Training Group (TG, n= 19, mean age = 22.6 ± 2.7 yrs; height 175.7 ± 9.4 cm; weight 74.8 ± 15.1 kg) and in a Control Group (CG, n= 8, mean age = 20.6 ± 2.0 yrs; height 172.9 ± 6.4 cm; weight 67.8 ± 6.6 kg) and participated in a repeated measures design with pre and post training measures of balance using the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). They were submitted to a 8 weeks core training program focused on 6 exercises with specific progression from floor to unstable surface, eyes open to eyes closed, static to dynamic movement, two to one foot, and increased to the inclusion off-centred forces (torque). Results. Both group improved SEBT scores for right (R-SEBT) and left (L-SEBT) side with higher values for TG; in particular, TG increased R-SEBT and L-SEBT of 11,6% and 11,5% (p=0,00) and CG increased of 4,4% (p=0,03) and 2,9% (p>0,05), respectively. Pre-post comparison showed significant difference between TG and CG for both side (p<0,05). Conclusions. TG improvements in SEBT highlight the effect of a core stability and strength exercises on neuro-muscular control and balance. Therefore, a progressive core training program could be a good way to enhance functional dynamic responses and performance in healthy collegiate people.