The Effects of Core Stabilization Exercises on Physical Performance, Balance, and Coordination in Young Football Players (CORE-U17)

This study aims to examine the effects of a 6-week core stabilization exercise program on balance, coordination, and core endurance parameters in young soccer players. Soccer is a sport that requires multifaceted skills such as balance, agility, and endurance, and it is well-known that stabilization of the lumbopelvic region (core) plays a critical role in enhancing performance and reducing the risk of injury.

The study will include male volunteer athletes aged 14-17 years from the Alayköy Football Club Under-17 team in Cyprus. Participants will be randomly assigned to an exercise group (n=10) and a control group (n=10). The exercise group will undergo a progressive core stabilization program (plank, side plank, dead bug, etc.) twice a week for 6 weeks in addition to their routine training, while the control group will continue only with routine soccer training. Data will be collected using the Y-Balance Test, Pro-Agility Test, Squat Repetition Test, McGill Core Endurance Tests (Flexion and Lateral Bridge), and Prone Extension Test. Data analysis will be performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 27.0; the Wilcoxon test will be used for within-group changes, and the Mann-Whitney U test will be used for between-group comparisons. Ethical committee approval was obtained from the Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee (BAYEK) of the European University of Lefke, and informed consent forms will be collected from participants and their parents.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Postural Balance; Physical Performance; Core Stability; Core Stabilization; Agility; Motor Coordination
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Core Stabilization Exercise Program

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 20
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Cyprus
  • Nicosia
    • Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
      • Alayköy Football Club

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

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

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Be a member of the Alayköy Football Club Under-17 football team Be between the ages of 14 and 17 years Be a male football player Be able to participate in training sessions both in person and online Be able to demonstrate regular soccer training participation of at least three days per week Have participated in regular soccer training for at least one year Not have suffered a serious injury, acute health problem, or surgical intervention in the last three months that would prevent sports participation Agree to participate in the study voluntarily Have written informed consent signed by both the participant and parent or guardian

Exclusion Criteria:

Not be a member of the Alayköy Football Club Under-17 football team Be unable to participate in training sessions in person or online Have a history of lower or upper extremity surgical intervention, neurological disease, or serious musculoskeletal system injury within the last six months Demonstrate absenteeism that would interfere with participation in the exercise program or test protocols Fail to complete the test battery due to lack of motivation or cooperation issues during the evaluation process Be enrolled in a structured exercise or rehabilitation program outside the study protocol during the intervention period

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Core Stabilization Exercise Group; Participants in this group will perform a six-week progressive core stabilization exercise program in addition to their regular soccer training.	Behavioral: Core Stabilization Exercise Program; A progressive six-week core stabilization training program performed twice per week in addition to regular soccer training. The program includes exercises such as planks, side planks, dead bugs, Russian twists, and mountain climbers. The duration and difficulty will be gradually increased over the six-week period. Each session will last approximately 60 minutes including warm-up and cool-down. Exercises will be performed in four phases: warm-up exercises (pelvic tilt, cat-cow, dynamic side steps), stabilization-focused exercises (plank, side plank, dead bug, glute bridge), strength-focused exercises (Russian twists, mountain climbers, leg raises, hollow body hold), and cool-down exercises (child's pose, seated forward bend, cobra stretch).
No Intervention: Control Group; Participants in this group will continue their routine soccer training without additional core stabilization exercises.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Dynamic Balance Performance	Dynamic balance will be assessed using the Y-Balance Test (Star Excursion Balance Test), a reliable field-based measure of lower extremity neuromuscular control, postural stability, and functional symmetry. Participants will stand on a single leg at the center of a Y-shaped device and reach with the contralateral leg in three directions: anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral. Each reach direction will be performed three times. The mean of the three reach distances will be calculated and used as the dynamic balance score. Measurements will be performed at baseline and after the 6-week intervention period.	6 week

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Agility and Coordination	Agility and change-of-direction speed will be evaluated using the Pro-Agility Test (5-10-5 shuttle run). Participants will start from a central line, sprint 5 meters to one side, touch the line, change direction and sprint 10 meters to the opposite side, touch the line, and sprint 5 meters back to the starting point. The time to complete the course will be recorded in seconds using a stopwatch. Each participant will perform multiple trials. Measurements will be conducted at baseline and after the 6-week intervention period.	6 week
Lower Extremity Performance	Lower extremity muscular performance will be assessed using a bodyweight squat repetition test. Participants will stand with feet shoulder-width apart and perform squats to approximately 90-degree knee flexion while maintaining proper trunk alignment. The number of correctly performed repetitions within a 30-second time interval will be recorded. Measurements will be performed at baseline and after the 6-week intervention period.	6 week
Core Flexor Endurance	Core flexor endurance will be assessed using the McGill Core Endurance Test flexor endurance test. Participants will maintain a static sit-up position with the trunk supported at approximately 60 degrees and the knees flexed at 90 degrees while the lower body is stabilized. The time the position is held without loss of posture will be recorded in seconds. Measurements will be performed at baseline and after the 6-week intervention period.	6 week
Core Extensor Endurance	Core extensor endurance will be assessed using the Prone Extension Test (Superman Test). Participants will be positioned prone on a flat surface. The upper extremities will be placed in shoulder flexion with elbows fully extended and lifted at head level while the lower extremities are maintained in neutral hip position. Participants will be instructed to simultaneously lift the trunk to sternum level and raise the lower extremities from the ground to achieve a full trunk extension position. The time sustained in the correct position will be recorded in seconds using a stopwatch. Measurements will be performed at baseline and after the 6-week intervention period.	6 week
Lateral Core Endurance	Lateral core endurance will be assessed using the McGill Core Endurance Test lateral bridge test. Participants will support their body on one forearm and the side of the foot, maintaining a straight line from head to feet. The holding time in seconds for each side will be recorded. Measurements will be taken at baseline and after the 6-week intervention period.	6 week

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: European University of Lefke
• Investigators: Study Director: Beraat Alptuğ, MD, PhD, European University of Lefke

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• McGill SM, Childs A, Liebenson C. Endurance times for low back stabilization exercises: clinical targets for testing and training from a normal database. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1999 Aug;80(8):941-4. doi: 10.1016/s0003-9993(99)90087-4.
• Plisky PJ, Gorman PP, Butler RJ, Kiesel KB, Underwood FB, Elkins B. The reliability of an instrumented device for measuring components of the star excursion balance test. N Am J Sports Phys Ther. 2009 May;4(2):92-9.
• Shaffer SW, Teyhen DS, Lorenson CL, Warren RL, Koreerat CM, Straseske CA, Childs JD. Y-balance test: a reliability study involving multiple raters. Mil Med. 2013 Nov;178(11):1264-70. doi: 10.7205/MILMED-D-13-00222.
• Sayers, S. P. (2007). High-speed power training: A functional assessment of squat performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 21(1), 64-68.
• McGill, S. (2010). Core training: Evidence translating to better performance and injury prevention. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 32(3), 33-46. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0b013e3181df4521
• Sassi, R. H., Impellizzeri, F. M., Maffiuletti, N. A., Girard, O., & Della Valle, V. (2009). Reliability and validity of a new test of change of direction in soccer players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 23(3), 1046-1051.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 17, 2026
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 29, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): June 5, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 10, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 14, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): June 16, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 16, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 14, 2026
• Last Verified: June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Balance; Soccer; Coordination; Football; Physical Performance; Agility; Young Athletes; Core Stability; Core Endurance
• Other Study ID Numbers: BAYEK060.13

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

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