The effects of eight week core training applied to footballers effects on balance and football skills

In this study, effect of 8 weeks core strength training on balance and soccer skills of male soccer players who were in 13-14 age group was investigated. For the study, players in 13-14 age group were included: Experimental Group (EG, n=20) and Control Group (CG, n=20). While EG was involved in core training program 2 days per week for 30 minutes during 8 weeks in addition to the soccer training program, CG just went on the regular training. Before and after training, body fat percentage, balance, speed, agility, dribbling and passing tests were applied to the groups. Variance analysis technique was used for repeated measures and Tukey multiple comparison test was used for determining balance of right and left foot with pre and post tests of EG and CG. At the end of the study, body fat percentages and body weights were significant in favor of EG. In terms of speed (30m), agility (zigzag) and dribbling, a statically significance couldn't be found; however, passing test was significant in favor of EG. Anterior/Posterior, Overall Stability ve Medial Lateral balance, (pre and post test) x (right and left foot) (P=0.039; P=0.002; P=0.034) EG and CG x right-left foot (P=0.000; P=0.001; P=0.002) interaction effects were significant. In terms of Anterior/Posterior right and left foot balance, a significant difference couldn't be found between the groups. In terms of Overall Stability, right foot balance of EG was better, but in terms of left foot balance, there was no significant difference between the groups. Also, in terms of Medial Lateral balance, it was found that both right and left feet balance of EG was better than CG. As a result, at the end of core strength training, it was determined that there was no significant change for performance rates of speed – agility and dribbling skill, however, there was a significant change for passing skill and balance performance. It is considered that larger scale studies should be done with different experimental groups about this issue.