Effect of core training on agility, explosive strength and balance parameters in young women volleyballers

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effects of core training on agility, explosive strength and balance parameters in young female volleyball players aged 14-18. Materials and Methods: Twenty volunteer athletes playing volleyball in Aydın Youth Services Sports Club participated in the study. Vertical jump, spring jump, pro-agility agility test and dynamic balance tests were applied to all volleyball players at the beginning of the study (pre-tests). The athletes were selected by lot and divided into two groups as study and control groups. 10 athletes that make up the working group participated in 8 weeks of core training in addition to volleyball training. Ten athletes in the control group continued only with volleyball training. Core training sessions were applied 3 days a week for 8 weeks before volleyball training. At the end of the 8 weeks, the tests applied in the pre-test were repeated and analyzed to all participants in order to determine the effect of core training on agility, explosive strength and balance parameters. In the statistical analysis of the study, Kurtosis-Skewness test was used to determine the normal distribution of the data. Paired-samples t test and two independent samples t test were performed to make comparisons within and between groups. The significance level was accepted as 0.05 during the study. Results: A statistically significant difference was found in the balance sensitivity index, static vertical jump (cm), springing vertical jump (cm) and pro-agility agility test (sec) parameters when the study and control group posttest were compared (p <0.01). Conclusion: It is seen that core training applied in addition to volleyball training has a positive effect on agility, explosive strength and balance performances. Keywords: Agility, Balance, Core Training, Explosive Force,Volleyball,