Introduction Core stability and strength exercises are a common practice in soccer world, despite the lack of scientific support about their relation with performance. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of a core training protocol on strength, speed and endurance in regional league young soccer players. Methods Forty eight players among 3 different teams were included in the research. They were divided in a Training group (TG, n=22, age 14 years, weight 60.4 ± 8.8 kg, height 169 ± 6,8 cm) and 2 Control groups (CG1, n=10, age 13 years, weight 49.2 ± 12.1 Kg, height 159 ± 9,3 cm) (CG2, n=16, age 16 years, weight 70.6 ± 6.2 Kg, height 174 ± 5,2 cm) following the age level. TG was submitted to a 8 weeks core training protocol focused on 7 free body exercises in addition to soccer conditioning, while CG1 and CG2 executed the sport specific training only. Performance level was evaluated before and after core training protocol using Long Jump Test (LJ), Medicine Ball Throw test (MB), Leger endurance test (Leger Time, Leger Speed, Maximal Aerobic Velocity-VAM ) and 3 speed tests (10m, 15m, 30m) in all players. Results & Discussion All groups showed different performance scores with better improvements in core training group (TG). In particular, TG significantly increased LJ (+10,7 %, p.=.0,00), MB (+3,7%, p.=.0,03), 15m (+3,7%, p.=.0,00) and 30m (+4,3%, p.=.0,00), CG1 significantly increased Leger Time, Leger Speed and VAM (p.<.0,05) and CG2 significantly increased 10m (+8,7%, p.=.0,00), 15m (+2%, p.=.0,04) and 30m (+2,1%, p.=.0,01). No significant differences were observed in other performance tests. Conclusion The TG improvements in LJ, MB and Speed Tests highlight the effect of core stability and strength exercises on neuro-muscular control and force-transfer between lower body-trunk-upper body. Therefore, a simple core training protocol could be a good way to better enhance soccer conditioning, specifically in strength and speed results, while no effects seem to be in endurance score. References 1. Willardson, J. M. P. (2007). JSCR, 21(3), 979-985. 2. Hibbs, A.E., Thompson, K.G., French, D, Wrigley, A., Spears, I. (2008) Sports Med, 38 (12), 995-1008
EFFECTS OF A CORE TRAINING PROGRAM ON PERFORMANCE IN YOUNG SOCCER PLAYERS / Belli, G., Fiumicelli, F., Medici, S., Maietta Latessa, P. , Tentoni, C.. - STAMPA. - (2012). (Intervento presentato al convegno I° Congresso Internazionale - XXII° Convegno Nazionale AIPAC (Associazione Italiana Preparatori Atletici Calcio): Training in Soccer - High Intensity Training tenutosi a Firenze nel 21 maggio 2012).
EFFECTS OF A CORE TRAINING PROGRAM ON PERFORMANCE IN YOUNG SOCCER PLAYERS
Belli G.;Maietta Latessa;P. Tentoni
2012
Abstract
Introduction Core stability and strength exercises are a common practice in soccer world, despite the lack of scientific support about their relation with performance. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of a core training protocol on strength, speed and endurance in regional league young soccer players. Methods Forty eight players among 3 different teams were included in the research. They were divided in a Training group (TG, n=22, age 14 years, weight 60.4 ± 8.8 kg, height 169 ± 6,8 cm) and 2 Control groups (CG1, n=10, age 13 years, weight 49.2 ± 12.1 Kg, height 159 ± 9,3 cm) (CG2, n=16, age 16 years, weight 70.6 ± 6.2 Kg, height 174 ± 5,2 cm) following the age level. TG was submitted to a 8 weeks core training protocol focused on 7 free body exercises in addition to soccer conditioning, while CG1 and CG2 executed the sport specific training only. Performance level was evaluated before and after core training protocol using Long Jump Test (LJ), Medicine Ball Throw test (MB), Leger endurance test (Leger Time, Leger Speed, Maximal Aerobic Velocity-VAM ) and 3 speed tests (10m, 15m, 30m) in all players. Results & Discussion All groups showed different performance scores with better improvements in core training group (TG). In particular, TG significantly increased LJ (+10,7 %, p.=.0,00), MB (+3,7%, p.=.0,03), 15m (+3,7%, p.=.0,00) and 30m (+4,3%, p.=.0,00), CG1 significantly increased Leger Time, Leger Speed and VAM (p.<.0,05) and CG2 significantly increased 10m (+8,7%, p.=.0,00), 15m (+2%, p.=.0,04) and 30m (+2,1%, p.=.0,01). No significant differences were observed in other performance tests. Conclusion The TG improvements in LJ, MB and Speed Tests highlight the effect of core stability and strength exercises on neuro-muscular control and force-transfer between lower body-trunk-upper body. Therefore, a simple core training protocol could be a good way to better enhance soccer conditioning, specifically in strength and speed results, while no effects seem to be in endurance score. References 1. Willardson, J. M. P. (2007). JSCR, 21(3), 979-985. 2. Hibbs, A.E., Thompson, K.G., French, D, Wrigley, A., Spears, I. (2008) Sports Med, 38 (12), 995-1008I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
