Effects of Core and Inspiratory Muscle Training on Muscle Oxygenation and Athletic Performance İn Young Soccer Players

Background:

Soccer performance is a multidimensional structure resulting from the interaction of technical, tactical, psychological, and physical components. In modern soccer, players frequently perform high-intensity running, sprinting, directional changes, and repeated efforts. Therefore, aerobic capacity, recovery ability, and the efficiency of muscle oxygen utilization are of critical importance.

Respiratory muscle fatigue during high-intensity exercise can limit performance by triggering the respiratory muscle metaboreflex, which reduces blood flow to peripheral muscles. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) aims to attenuate these adverse effects by enhancing the strength and endurance of the diaphragm and auxiliary respiratory muscles. Similarly, core training improves trunk stability, enhances movement economy, optimizes force transfer along the kinetic chain, and contributes to athletic performance measures. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a non-invasive technology used to evaluate muscle oxygenation and hemodynamic responses during exercise. The MOXY monitor utilized in this study will allow real-time evaluation of muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) and total hemoglobin (THb) levels.

Objectives:

The primary objective is to investigate the effects of core training and inspiratory muscle training on muscle oxygenation and aerobic performance in youth male soccer players. Secondary objectives are to examine changes in maximal inspiratory pressure, sprint performance, agility, dynamic balance, core strength/endurance, lower extremity explosive power, and soccer-specific technical skills.

Study Design & Interventions:

This study is designed as a three-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial involving 54 healthy male soccer players. Participants will be randomly allocated into one of three groups:

1. Control Group: Continues routine soccer training only.
2. Core Training Group: Receives a structured core training program in addition to routine soccer training.
3. Core Training + IMT Group: Receives both the core training program and inspiratory muscle training in addition to routine soccer training.

The core training program will be implemented 3 days a week, lasting approximately 20-25 minutes prior to routine soccer practices. The program is structured on progressive overload principles, gradually increasing duration and difficulty. IMT will be performed 3 days a week using a threshold device. Participants will complete 2 sets of 30 breaths per session. Training intensity will start at 50% of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and progress weekly up to approximately 70% MIP.

Assessments & Statistical Analysis:

All assessments will be conducted at baseline (Week 0), mid-intervention (Week 4), and post-intervention (Week 8). Primary outcomes include aerobic capacity (Yo-Yo IR1 distance) and muscle oxygenation parameters (SmO2, desaturation/reoxygenation rates, and THb). Secondary outcomes include 20-meter sprint (manual stopwatch), Illinois agility test, Y-Balance test, core strength/endurance tests, Standing Long Jump, MIP (cmH2O), Modified 10-Meter Dribbling Test, and the Wall Passing Accuracy Test. Linear mixed-effects models will be used to analyze group and time effects. Statistical significance will be set at p < 0.05.