TY  - JOUR
A1  - Prieske, Olaf
A1  - Mühlbauer, Thomas
A1  - Borde, Ron
A1  - Gube, M.
A1  - Bruhn, S.
A1  - Behm, David George
A1  - Granacher, Urs
T1  - Neuromuscular and athletic performance following core strength training in elite youth soccer: Role of instability
JF  - Learning and individual differences
N2  - Cross-sectional studies revealed that inclusion of unstable elements in core-strengthening exercises produced increases in trunk muscle activity and thus potential extra stimuli to induce more pronounced performance enhancements in youth athletes. Thus, the purpose of the study was to investigate changes in neuromuscular and athletic performance following core strength training performed on unstable (CSTU) compared with stable surfaces (CSTS) in youth soccer players. Thirty-nine male elite soccer players (age: 17 +/- 1 years) were assigned to two groups performing a progressive core strength-training program for 9 weeks (2-3 times/week) in addition to regular in-season soccer training. CSTS group conducted core exercises on stable (i.e., floor, bench) and CSTU group on unstable (e.g., Thera-Band (R) Stability Trainer, Togu (c) Swiss ball) surfaces. Measurements included tests for assessing trunk muscle strength/activation, countermovement jump height, sprint time, agility time, and kicking performance. Statistical analysis revealed significant main effects of test (pre vs post) for trunk extensor strength (5%, P<0.05, d=0.86), 10-20-m sprint time (3%, P<0.05, d=2.56), and kicking performance (1%, P<0.01, d=1.28). No significant Groupxtest interactions were observed for any variable. In conclusion, trunk muscle strength, sprint, and kicking performance improved following CSTU and CSTS when conducted in combination with regular soccer training.
KW  - Elite sports
KW  - jumping
KW  - agility
KW  - sprint
KW  - ball speed
KW  - electromyography
Y1  - 2016
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12403
SN  - 0905-7188
SN  - 1600-0838
VL  - 26
SP  - 48
EP  - 56
PB  - Wiley-Blackwell
CY  - Hoboken
ER  -