Influence of Core Training on Fatigue, Balance and Performance in Adolescent Football Players
Influence of Core Training on Fatigue, Balance and Performance in Adolescent Football Players (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Background:
Adolescent football players are exposed to high physical and psychological demands due to intensive training, frequent matches, travel, and limited recovery time. These factors can lead to early fatigue, reduced balance, and lower technical performance, all of which may increase the risk of non-contact injuries. The muscles of the trunk (core muscles) help stabilize the spine and pelvis, transfer forces between the upper and lower limbs, and maintain postural control during sport-specific movements. Weak core stability has been linked to poorer balance, reduced fatigue resistance, and suboptimal performance. Although core training is widely used in sports, there is limited evidence on its combined effects on fatigue, balance, and football-specific performance in adolescent players.
Objectives:
This randomized controlled trial aims to examine whether an 8-week core training program can improve fatigue resistance, balance, and football performance in adolescent football players compared with usual training alone.
Methods:
This is a pre-post, parallel-group randomized controlled trial conducted at Wadi Degla Football Club. Eligible participants are male adolescent football players aged 14-18 years from the 2005, 2006, and 2007 teams, who train regularly (at least 6 hours per week), have a body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m², and have been free from lower-limb injury or surgery for at least 6 months. Players with recent major lower-limb injuries, surgery, or irregular training will be excluded.
Participants will be randomly allocated into two groups using computer-generated random numbers: (1) a core-training group, which receives an 8-week structured core exercise program in addition to their usual football training, and (2) a control group, which continues usual football training without additional core exercises. Both groups will be assessed before and after the intervention period. Outcome measures will include fatigue-related performance, static and/or dynamic balance, and football-specific performance tests.
Potential Benefits and Risks:
The study may help clarify whether adding core training to routine football practice can enhance fatigue resistance, balance, and functional performance in adolescent football players and potentially reduce injury risk. The exercises are commonly used in sports settings and are considered low risk for healthy athletes; no significant risks beyond normal football training are anticipated. Participation is voluntary, and players may withdraw from the study at any time without any consequences for their team status or medical care.
Aperçu de l'étude
Statut
Les conditions
Intervention / Traitement
Description détaillée
Background and Rationale:
Adolescent football players are exposed to increasing physical and psychological demands due to intensive training schedules, frequent competition, and limited recovery. These demands may contribute to early fatigue, impaired balance, and reduced technical performance, potentially increasing the risk of non-contact musculoskeletal injuries. Additionally, growth-related changes and ongoing neuromuscular development during adolescence may further affect movement control and performance consistency.
The core musculature, including the abdominal, lumbar, pelvic, and hip muscles, plays a fundamental role in trunk stabilization, force transmission, and postural control during football-specific activities such as sprinting, cutting, kicking, and landing. Adequate core stability is considered important for maintaining movement efficiency and performance, particularly under conditions of fatigue. Conversely, insufficient core control has been associated with impaired balance and suboptimal functional performance.
Although core training is widely implemented in sports conditioning programs, current evidence regarding its effectiveness in adolescent football players remains limited and inconclusive. In particular, the combined effects of core training on fatigue resistance, balance, and football-specific performance are not well established in this population. Therefore, further research is needed to determine whether integrating structured core exercises into routine football training provides meaningful additional benefits.
Study Design Overview This study is a randomized controlled trial designed to investigate the effects of an 8-week structured core training program in adolescent football players. The intervention is integrated within a real-world club training environment, allowing for practical applicability of the findings.
Participants will be allocated to either a core training group or a control condition involving routine football training. The study follows a pre-post design to evaluate changes over time and to compare outcomes between groups.
Significance:
The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the evidence base guiding training and injury prevention strategies in youth football. Clarifying the role of core training may support coaches, physiotherapists, and strength and conditioning professionals in optimizing performance development and reducing injury risk in adolescent players.
Type d'étude
Inscription (Réel)
Phase
- N'est pas applicable
Contacts et emplacements
Lieux d'étude
-
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Giza Governorate
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Giza, Giza Governorate, Egypte, 12613
- Cairo University
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-
Critères de participation
Critère d'éligibilité
Âges éligibles pour étudier
- Enfant
- Adulte
Accepte les volontaires sains
La description
Inclusion Criteria:
- Male adolescent football players aged 14-18 years
- Registered players from Wadi Degla football teams
- Free from lower limb injuries for at least 6 months before the start of the study
- Body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m²
- Regular participation in football training for at least 6 hours per week
Exclusion Criteria:
- Not regularly participating in football training for at least 6 hours per week
- History of major lower limb injury within the last 6 months
- History of lower limb surgery before the study period
Plan d'étude
Comment l'étude est-elle conçue ?
Détails de conception
- Objectif principal: La prévention
- Répartition: Randomisé
- Modèle interventionnel: Affectation parallèle
- Masquage: Seul
Armes et Interventions
Groupe de participants / Bras |
Intervention / Traitement |
|---|---|
|
Expérimental: Core Training Group
Adolescent football players receiving an 8-week structured core training program in addition to their usual football training.
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An 8-week core stability training program including trunk strengthening and stabilization exercises performed in addition to the players' usual football training, three sessions per week under supervision.
|
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Aucune intervention: Control Group
Adolescent football players continuing their usual football training without the additional core training program.
|
Que mesure l'étude ?
Principaux critères de jugement
Mesure des résultats |
Description de la mesure |
Délai |
|---|---|---|
|
Change in fatigue-related performance
Délai: Baseline and after 8 weeks of training
|
Change in fatigue-related performance of adolescent football players from baseline to 8 weeks, assessed using a standardized field-based fatigue protocol fatigue index appropriate for youth football.
Higher post-training scores indicate better fatigue resistance.
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Baseline and after 8 weeks of training
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Mesures de résultats secondaires
Mesure des résultats |
Description de la mesure |
Délai |
|---|---|---|
|
Change in balance performance
Délai: Baseline and after 8 weeks of training
|
Change in balance performance from baseline to 8 weeks, assessed using standardized balance tests suitable for adolescent football players.
Balance will be measured before and after the 8-week core training period to determine the effect of core training on balance in adolescent football players.
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Baseline and after 8 weeks of training
|
Collaborateurs et enquêteurs
Parrainer
Collaborateurs
Les enquêteurs
- Chercheur principal: Ahmed Torad, Phd, Departement of basic sciences, faculty of physical therapy, kafrelsheikh university
- Directeur d'études: Ahmed Saber Rageh, PhD, Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, University of East London branch at European Universities in Egypt (EUE).
Dates d'enregistrement des études
Dates principales de l'étude
Début de l'étude (Réel)
Achèvement primaire (Réel)
Achèvement de l'étude (Réel)
Dates d'inscription aux études
Première soumission
Première soumission répondant aux critères de contrôle qualité
Première publication (Réel)
Mises à jour des dossiers d'étude
Dernière mise à jour publiée (Réel)
Dernière mise à jour soumise répondant aux critères de contrôle qualité
Dernière vérification
Plus d'information
Termes liés à cette étude
Mots clés
Termes MeSH pertinents supplémentaires
Autres numéros d'identification d'étude
- FPTBSUREC/0107/14925
Plan pour les données individuelles des participants (IPD)
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Description du régime IPD
Informations sur les médicaments et les dispositifs, documents d'étude
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