Short term effects of a core training protocol on postural control in medium level soccer players

Introduction. Core stability and strength exercises are a common practice in soccer world, despite the lack of scientific support about their relation with performance and posture. The purpose of this study was to analyze the short - term effects of a 20’ core training protocol on stabilometric parameters and trunk mobility. Method. Fourteen medium level soccer players (mean age 21.1 ± 4.2 yrs, weight 74,7 ± 7.3 kg, height 182 ± 5,2 cm) volunteered for the study. They were randomly divided in a Tubing Group (TB, n=6) and a MedBall group (MB, n=8) and submitted to a 4 exercises core training program focused on global twist movements executed respectively with Tubing or Medicine Ball. They were tested pre (T1), immediately post (T2, between 1’ and 5’ after the end) and later (T3, between 20’ and 30’ after the second test) with a stabilometric platform and pre-immediately post with a spine evaluation system. Results. Center of Pressure area (COP AR) and displacement (COP DIS) were measured during an eyes open quiet standing test; spine mobility was assessed in normal standing (ST), standing trunk max flexion (FLEX) and standing trunk max extension (EXT) positions for thoracic (TOR) and lumbar region (LOM). COP AR (fig.1) and COP DIS decreased in both group for both comparison (T1 vs T2 and T2 vs T3), even if not significantly (p.>.0,05). COP AR and COP DIS decreased more in TB (COP AR: -9,4% and - 9,5%; COP DIS:-6,3% and -4,1%) than in MB (COP AR: -6,5% and -3,1%; COP DIS: -1,5% and -1,3%). Spine mobility didn’t change significantly for all positions in both group except for TB FLEX LOM (p.<.0,05) and MB FLEX TOR and LOM (p.<.0,05). Discussion. The results showed how a core training protocol focused on twist movement didn’t affect static postural control but increased spine lumbar mobility in the immediate post exercise.