Core Exercises and Their Effects on Sprint, Jump, Agility, and Balance in Amateur Soccer Players

The Effects of Core Exercises on Change of Direction, Vertical Jump, Sprint, and Postural Sway: An Experimental Study

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 4-week core exercise program on sprint, vertical jump, agility, and postural sway performance in amateur male soccer players aged 18-23. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (core training) or a control group (regular training). Physical performance tests were conducted before and after the training program. The results are expected to help coaches and sports scientists better understand the performance benefits of core training.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Athletic Performance Improvement Through Core Training
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Core Exercise Program

Detailed Description

This randomized controlled study investigated the effects of a 4-week core exercise program on sprint, vertical jump, agility, and postural sway performance in amateur male soccer players aged 18 to 23. Thirty participants were randomly assigned to either a core training group (n=15) or a control group (n=15). The core training group performed additional core stability exercises three times per week, while the control group continued their regular training routine. All participants completed physical performance tests, including 10- and 20-meter sprint, change of direction test, countermovement jump (CMJ), and postural sway assessment using a force platform. Pre- and post-test comparisons were conducted to evaluate the intervention's effectiveness. Ethical approval was obtained from the Gazi University Ethics Committee (Approval No: 2024-1685). The study was designed to help coaches and sport scientists understand how core training may improve athletic performance parameters in amateur football players.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 30
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey
  • Marmara
    • Yalova, Marmara, Turkey, 77100
      • Yalova University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male amateur soccer players aged 18 to 23 years
• Actively participating in regular soccer training (minimum 3 sessions/week)
• No musculoskeletal injuries within the last 6 months
• Provided informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of lower extremity surgery
• Any neurological or vestibular disorders
• Participation in core training within the past 3 months
• Use of medication that may affect balance or neuromuscular performance

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Core Training Group; Participants in this group received a 4-week core training program in addition to their regular soccer training. The program included dynamic and static core stabilization exercises, performed 3 times per week, each session lasting approximately 25-30 minutes.	Behavioral: Core Exercise Program; This intervention consists of a 4-week core training program including exercises like planks, side planks, bird-dogs, bridges, and dead bugs, performed 3 days per week alongside regular soccer training. Each session lasted approximately 25-30 minutes.
No Intervention: Control Group; Participants in this group continued their usual soccer training routine and did not receive any additional core training during the 4-week period.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change of Direction Performance (Illinois Test)	Change of direction (COD) performance was measured using the Illinois Change of Direction Test. Participants completed the test before and after a 4-week core training intervention. COD time was recorded using infrared timing gates, and the best of two attempts was used for analysis. Lower completion time indicates better performance.	Baseline (Week 0) and Week 5 (immediately after the 4-week intervention)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Yalova
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Selman Kaya, Phd, Yalova University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 15, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 20, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): December 20, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 16, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 16, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): April 24, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 29, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 24, 2025
• Last Verified: April 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Vertical jump; Sprint; Postural sway; Core Training; change of direction
• Other Study ID Numbers: CORE2025-SK

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED
• IPD Plan Description: At this time, there is no definitive plan for individual participant data (IPD) sharing. The decision will depend on future institutional policies, ethical approvals, and data availability.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No