Static vs Dynamic Core Exercises for Improving Serve and Spike Speed in Elite Young Male Volleyball Players (CORE-VOLLEY)

The Effects of Static and Dynamic Core Exercises on Serve and Spike Velocity in Elite Young Male Volleyball Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Volleyball performance at the elite level will depend heavily on the speed and efficiency of overhead actions, particularly the serve and the spike. These skills will rely not only on upper-extremity strength but also on the effective transfer of force through the kinetic chain, in which the core musculature will play a central role. Core stability will contribute to balance, postural control, and coordination of movement, all of which will be essential for producing high ball velocities. However, there is limited evidence directly comparing static (isometric) and dynamic (movement-based) core training approaches in elite young volleyball players.

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial will be to investigate and compare the effects of static and dynamic core training programs on serve and spike velocity in elite young male volleyball players aged 11-14 years. The study will aim to determine whether different types of core exercises will lead to specific performance adaptations and whether one method will be more effective than the other for improving particular volleyball skills.

A total of 31 elite young male volleyball players will be included in the study. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a Static Core Exercise Group (n = 16) or a Dynamic Core Exercise Group (n = 15). Both groups will participate in a structured six-week training intervention, consisting of three sessions per week, in addition to their regular volleyball training.

The static core training program will consist of isometric exercises designed to improve trunk stability and muscular endurance. The dynamic core training program will include multi-planar and rotational exercises aimed at enhancing power, coordination, and force production. All training sessions will be supervised and progressively adjusted throughout the intervention period.

Serve and spike velocities will be measured before and after the intervention using a radar-based measurement system under standardized testing conditions. Anthropometric characteristics, including height and body mass, will also be recorded. Statistical analyses will be conducted to evaluate within-group changes and between-group differences following the intervention.

The primary research question will be: Will static and dynamic core training programs differentially affect serve and spike velocity in elite young male volleyball players? A secondary objective will be to determine which type of core training will be more effective for improving specific volleyball performance outcomes.

It will be hypothesized that both training approaches will lead to improvements in performance. However, dynamic core exercises are expected to result in greater increases in serve velocity due to their emphasis on rotational power and movement specificity, whereas static core exercises are expected to provide greater improvements in spike velocity by enhancing trunk stability during ball contact.

The findings of this study will provide practical guidance for coaches and practitioners in designing evidence-based training programs for youth volleyball players and will contribute to more effective performance development and training periodization strategies.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Healthy; Sport
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Static Core Exercise Training; Device: Velocity Speed Gun; Other: Dynamic Core Exercise Group (DCEG)

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 31
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Avcılar
    • Istanbul, Avcılar, Turkey (Türkiye)
      • İstanbul Gelişim University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• male sex;
• age 11-14 years;
• ≥ 2 years of systematic volleyball training;
• club-level competitive participation;
• absence of any musculoskeletal injury during the preceding six months.

Exclusion Criteria:

• chronic pain syndromes;
• prior structured core-training intervention within the previous three months;
• attendance at fewer than 90% of the supervised sessions during the trial

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Static Core Exercise Group (SCEG); Participants in this arm will perform a structured static (isometric) core training program in addition to their regular volleyball training. The program will include exercises such as front plank, side plank, lower abdominal plank, and posterior plank. Training will be conducted for six weeks, three sessions per week, with progressive increases in duration.	Other: Static Core Exercise Training; Participants in this arm will perform a structured static (isometric) core training program in addition to their regular volleyball training. The program will include exercises such as front plank, side plank, lower abdominal plank, and posterior plank. Training will be conducted for six weeks, three sessions per week, with progressive increases in duration.; Device: Velocity Speed Gun; The Bushnell radar velocity gun was used to measure ball velocity during volleyball serves and spikes. The device provided instantaneous speed measurements (km/h) for each trial and was utilized as an objective assessment tool for serve and spike performance.
Experimental: Dynamic Core Exercise Group (DCEG); Participants in this arm will perform a structured dynamic (movement-based) core training program alongside their regular volleyball training. The program will include exercises such as dynamic side plank, Spider-Man plank, bicycle plank, and push-ups. Training will be conducted for six weeks, three sessions per week, with progressive increases in repetitions and intensity.	Device: Velocity Speed Gun; The Bushnell radar velocity gun was used to measure ball velocity during volleyball serves and spikes. The device provided instantaneous speed measurements (km/h) for each trial and was utilized as an objective assessment tool for serve and spike performance.; Other: Dynamic Core Exercise Group (DCEG); Participants in this arm will perform a structured dynamic (movement-based) core training program alongside their regular volleyball training. The program will include exercises such as dynamic side plank, Spider-Man plank, bicycle plank, and push-ups. Training will be conducted for six weeks, three sessions per week, with progressive increases in repetitions and intensity.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in volleyball serve ball speed measured by radar system	Maximum volleyball serve speed will be measured using a calibrated radar gun under standardized testing conditions. Each participant will perform three maximal serves, and the highest recorded velocity will be used for analysis. Ball speed will be reported in kilometers per hour (km/h). Measurements will be obtained at baseline and after the 6-week intervention period.	Baseline and post-intervention (6 weeks)
Change in volleyball spike ball speed measured by radar system	Maximum volleyball spike speed will be assessed using a calibrated radar-based measurement device under standardized testing conditions. Participants will perform three maximal spike attempts, and the highest recorded velocity will be included in the analysis. Ball speed will be reported in kilometers per hour (km/h). Measurements will be collected before and after the 6-week training intervention.	Baseline and post-intervention (6 weeks)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in core muscle endurance assessed by plank hold duration	Core muscle endurance will be evaluated using the prone plank test. The maximum duration participants can maintain the correct plank position will be recorded in seconds.	6 weeks
Body mass and height measurements	Body mass will be measured using a calibrated digital scale and reported in kilograms (kg). Height will be measured using a stadiometer and reported in centimeters (cm). Body mass index (BMI) will be calculated using the formula: BMI values will be reported in kilograms per square meter (kg/m²).	6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Istanbul Gelisim University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 18, 2026
• Primary Completion (Actual): February 20, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): April 5, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 5, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 6, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): June 11, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 11, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 6, 2026
• Last Verified: June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: 2026-04-40

Drug and device information, study documents

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