The effect of core muscle thickness on sprint, change of direction running, vertical jump, and dynamic balance in soccer players

Aim: There are many studies in the literature investigating the influence of skeletal muscle architecture on athletic performance. However, these studies have typically measured the lower limb and examined the relationships between the architectural features of the muscle and selected athletic performance measures. On the other hand, the effects of measurements of muscle thickness in the core region, referred to as the central region of the body, on health-related parameters have been investigated in patient populations. In this context, the aim of the study is to investigate the influence of core muscle thickness on sprinting, agility, vertical jump and dynamic balance in soccer players. Materials and Methods: 11 male soccer players (19.19±2.11 years) were included in this study. The muscle thickness of the transversus abdominis, obliquus internus, obliquus externus, rectus abdominis, and lumbar multifidus of the participants was determined by B-mode ultrasound, and their performances in sprinting, agility, vertical jump, and dynamic balance were recorded. The relationships and variance levels between muscle thickness and athletic performance scores were analyzed using correlation and regression methods. Results: A large and very large negative linear relationship was observed between 20 m linear sprint and agility times and muscle thickness (r> 0.67, p< 0.05). While a significant positive relationship was detected between vertical jump height and deep abdominal and lumbar multifidus muscles (r> 0.61, p <0.05), no significant relationship was observed between height and superficial abdominal muscles (p> 0.05). In the dynamic balance test, a large and very large positive linear relationship was observed between the dominant and non-dominant anterior reach and all muscles (r> 0.61, p <0.05). As a result of multiple regression analyzes, it was determined that muscle thickness explained strength-based performance scores by> 60% and dynamic balance anterior reach by> 68%. Conclusion: As a result, the thickness of trunk muscles was found to have a significant effect on the strength and balance abilities of young soccer players. The study found that the deep abdominal muscles were more significant than the superficial muscles for many parameters. Future studies can develop long-term specific training programs for the core muscle thickness of athletes and investigate the effects of changes in muscle thickness on athletic performance.