Effects Of Core Stabilization Exercise Program on Trunk Muscle Endurance, Balance, And Athletic Performance in Artistic Gymnast Children

Purpose: Core muscle training is predicted to provide a basis for improving trunk stability and performance. Especially, given the difficult movement patterns in gymnastics, the muscles in the lumbopelvic region are much more important. However, the effects of core stabilization training on gymnast children are not well known. The aim of this article is investigating the effects of core stabilization exercise program on trunk muscle endurance, balance, and athletic performance in artistic gymnast children.

Methods: 51 children participated in this quasi-experimental study. The individuals are divided into three groups. In the first group, the individuals performed core stabilization exercises in addition to their gymnastic training. The second group only did routine training. The third group consisted of sedentary children. McGill core endurance tests, Flamingo and Y balance tests and vertical jump tests evaluated before and after the 8-week intervention.

Results: The between-groups comparisons showed that participants in the group of gymnastics and core stabilization exercises had significant differences on the measurements of flexor, extensor, left lateral flexor trunk endurance, and anterior, posteromedial and composite reach distances, and vertical jump height (p’s<0.05). The results of within-group comparison showed that measurements of trunk muscle endurance, static and dynamic balances, and explosive strengths demonstrated significant differences before and after intervention (p’s <0.05).

Conclusion: Adding core stabilization exercises in gymnastic training is effective in increasing muscle endurance, improving balance and performance.

Keywords:Exercise Training; Children; Gymnastics; Athletic Performance