The Effects of Isolated and Integrated ‘Core Stability’ Training on Athletic Performance Measures

Abstract

Background Core stability training, operationally defined as training focused to improve trunk and hip control, is an integral part of athletic development, yet little is known about its direct relation to athletic performance. Objective This systematic review focuses on identification of the association between core stability and sports-related performance measures. A secondary objective was to identify difficulties encountered when trying to train core stability with the goal of improving athletic performance. Data sources A systematic search was employed to capture all articles related to athletic performance and core stability training that were identified using the electronic databases MEDLINE, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus™ (1982-June2011). Study selection A systematic approach was used to evaluate 179 articles identified for initial review. Studies that performed an intervention targeted toward the core and measured an outcome related to athletic or sport performances were included, while studies with a participant population aged 65 years or older were excluded. Twenty-four in total met the inclusionary criteria for review. Study appraisal and synthesis methods Studies were evaluated using the Physical Therapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. The 24 articles were separated into three groups, general performance (n = 8), lower extremity (n = 10) and upper extremity (n = 6), for ease of discussion. Results In the majority of studies, core stability training was utilized in conjunction with more comprehensive exercise programmes. As such, many studies saw improvements in skills of general strengths such as maximum squat load and vertical leap. Surprisingly, not all studies reported measurable increases in specific core strength and stability measures following training. Additionally, investigations that targeted the core as the primary goal for improved outcome of training had mixed results. Limitations Core stability is rarely the sole component of an athletic development programme, making it difficult to directly isolate its affect on athletic performance. The population biases of some studies of athletic performance also confound the results. Conclusions Targeted core stability training provides marginal benefits to athletic performance. Conflicting findings and the lack of a standardization for measurement of outcomes and training focused to improve core strength and stability pose difficulties. Because of this, further research targeted to determine this relationship is necessary to better understand how core strength and stability affect athletic performance.

Effects of ten weeks dynamic or isometric core training on climbing performance among highly trained climbers

“…[16]. Studies that have demonstrated improvement have utilized progressive core-training programs and included both core strength and stability [13, 17–19].…”

The impact of periodized core training program on accurate service velocity of male tennis players aged 11-13<p>11-13 yaş arası erkek tenisçilerde periyotlanmış core antrenman programının isabetli servis hızına etkisi

“…Core stabilization training had a positive effect on the service velocity for young tennis players. Although there are quite a number of scientific researches investigating the relationship between athletic performance and core stabilization, strength and power, the impact of core strength on performance is contradictory (Reed, Ford, Myer, & Hewett, 2012). As it is applied in the present study, while it is accepted as the injury reducing effect of the core stabilization exercises is much more than the core strengthening exercises (Lehman, 2006), findings for athletic influence may not be considered sufficiently.…”

“…Literatürde atletik performans-core dayanıklılık, kuvvet ve güç ilişkisini araştıran oldukça çok bilimsel araştırmaya rastlansa da sonuçların performansa etkisi tartışmalıdır (Reed, Ford, Myer, & Hewett, 2012). Bu çalışmada olduğu gibi core kuvvetten çok core stabilizasyonu arttırmaya yönelik antrenman uygulamalarının sakatlığı azaltma etkisi kabul edilirken (Lehman, 2006), atletik etkisi için bulgular yeterli kabul edilmeyebilir (Hibbs, Thompson, French, Wrigley, & Spears, 2008).…”

Comparison of static and dynamic core exercises’ effects on Stork balance test in soccer players<p> Futbolcularda statik ve dinamik core egzersizlerin Stork denge testine etkisi

“…etkisinin az olduğu veya olmadığı ortaya koyulsa da (Nesser et al, 2008;Okada, Huxel, & Nesser, 2011;Reed, Ford, Myer, & Hewett, 2012b;Scibek, 1999;Sharrock, Cropper, Mostad, Johnson, & Malone, 2011;Willardson, 2007), bu çalışmanın sonuçları core stabilizasyon antrenmanları ve core stabilizasyon testlerindeki olumlu gelişmenin futbolcuların Stork denge testine yansıdığını ortaya koymaktadır. Stork denge testine ait ön ve son test değerlerin grup içi ve gruplar arası farklılık ve test*grup ilişkisi bulgularına bakıldığında (Tablo 3-Grafik1), her iki ayak için de deney gruplarında %18 ila %67 arasında dengede kalma süresinin arttığı görülmektedir.…”

“…Son yıllarda core egzersizlere ilgi bir hayli artmış, bu konuda yapılan çalışmalar ile core antrenman-vücut kompozisyonu, gövde stabilizasyonu, atletik performans, sakatlık ilişkisi ve değişimi incelenmeye çalışılmıştır (Reed, Ford, Myer, & Hewett, 2012a). Fakat core stabilizasyon performans ilişkisi oldukça tartışmalıdır (Willardson, 2007;Willson, Dougherty, Ireland, & Davis, 2005).…”