Effect of 8 weeks of core training on speed, agility and balance in 14–16 year old male footballers

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of 8-week core training on speed, agility and balance in male football players aged 14-16. Twenty-four players who were actively playing football at clubs at the age of 14-16 participated to the study voluntarily. The experimental group of the research consisted of 12 male footballers who practiced core training 3 days a week for 8 weeks in addition to football training. The control group of the research consisted of 12 male footballers who practiced regular football only. Before the training and after the 8-week training period, a set of strength, speed, agility and balance tests were applied to the football players in both groups and the effect of core training was examined independent sample t-test and dependent sample t-test were used to analyze the data. In the experimental group, while a statistically significant difference was found between the pretest and posttest values of sit-ups, push-ups, standing long jump, illinois agility, T-dril and Y balance tests in favor of the posttest, there was no significant difference between the pretest and posttest values of 30 m speed and 505 agility tests. In the control group, while there was a significant difference between the pretest and posttest values in the sit-up, push-up, standing long jump and illinois agility tests in favor of the posttests (p<0.05), there was no significant difference between pretest and posttest values of 30 m speed, 505 agility, t drill and y balance tests