The effect of core stabilization exercise program on kicking velocity, sprint speed and agility performance in male adolescent football players

This study investigated the effect of the core stability training program on ball-kicking velocity, running speed, and agility in adolescent male football players. Thirty-six male football players aged between 12 and 14 were divided into the training and control groups. Before implementing the core stability training program, participants' ball-kicking velocity, sprint speed, and agility performance were measured with a Bushnell velocity radar gun, 20 m sprint test, and 505 agility test, respectively, in both the training and control groups. After the measurements, the training group followed the core stability training program three days a week for eight weeks in addition to the routine training program, while the control group followed the routine training program only. After completing the core stability training program the ball-kicking velocity, sprint speed, and agility performance were re-measured in both groups. Significant improvements were detected in all parameters, i.e., ball-kicking velocity, sprint speed, and agility performance in the training group (p<0,05). On the other hand, in the control group, no significant change was detected in the ball-kicking velocity and sprint speed (p>0,05). In contrast, a considerable improvement was observed in agility performance (p<0,05). Inter-group comparisons revealed statistically significant differences between the groups in ball-kicking velocity and sprint speed in favour of the training group (p<0,05). In contrast, no significant difference was found between the groups in agility performance (p>0,05). In conclusion, this study's findings proved that core stability exercises can improve the performance parameters of adolescent male football players.