The Study Investigates the Efficacy of Core Stability Training on Core Endurance and Kinetic Chain Function and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Adult Soccer PlayersNCT07326956
Efficacy of Core Stability Training on Endurance, Kinetic Chain Function, and Dynamic Balance in Soccer Players
A study testing Core stability exercises and Regular soccer training in people with The Study Investigates the Efficacy of Core Stability Training on Core Endurance and Kinetic Chain Function and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Adult Soccer Players and Core Stability, run by Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University at 1 site in Saudi Arabia.
Trial summary
Background: The core has two functions, both critical to soccer performance. The first is to provide proximal stability, allowing efficient mobility at the distal parts. This function requires a submaximal contraction of core muscles for as long as the movement takes. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- The Study Investigates the Efficacy of Core Stability Training on Core Endurance and Kinetic Chain Function and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Adult Soccer Players, Core Stability, Dynamic Balance
- What is being tested?
- Core stability exercises and Regular soccer training
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 28 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSaudi Arabia
- Study dates
- 10 Feb 2026to 15 May 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Healthy, young adult soccer players of both genders between 18 and 35 years.
- Normal Body mass index (BMI) according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines (18.5-24.9).
- Normal waist circumference (<88 cm for women and < 102 cm for men).
Who cannot join
- As reported by participants, they will be excluded if they have a history of:
- Chronic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, hypertension).
- Peripheral vascular diseases (e.g., deep venous thrombosis).
- Systemic diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus)
- Limbs or trunk trauma, injuries, fractures, or surgeries that required medical attention in the past six months.
- Concussion.
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- Neurological deficits or symptoms (e.g., numbness, referred to pain to the lower limbs, burning sensation).
- The use of any medications that might affect the testing procedure and training.
- Physical pain (e.g., back pain, limb pain).
- Red flags (e.g., sudden loss of weight, night sweats, or fever).
- Pregnancy and post-partum (1 year)
- Upon inspection and palpation by the primary researcher, participants will be excluded if they have:
- Biomechanical abnormalities or deformities in the upper or lower limbs.
- Swelling/ edema
- Leg length discrepancy.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Efficacy of Core Stability Training on Endurance, Kinetic Chain Function, and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Adult Soccer Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Background: The core has two functions, both critical to soccer performance. The first is to provide proximal stability, allowing efficient mobility at the distal parts. This function requires a submaximal contraction of core muscles for as long as the movement takes. It was reported that core endurance is the construct most closely representing this function. The second function is generating and transferring forces from one extremity to another. This function operates via the kinetic chain theory, which implies that various body parts are connected through myofascial kinetic chains, and that a defect in one part of the chain can lead to faulty mechanics and balance, potentially causing injuries in other parts of that chain.
Aim: To investigate the efficacy of core stability training on core endurance, lower limb kinetic chain function, and lower limb dynamic balance in professional, healthy young adult soccer players.
Read more
Methods: This is a randomized, controlled trial with a parallel, two-arm, pre- and post-design. After screening for eligibility and obtaining participants' consents, at least 28 male and female soccer players will be randomly assigned to intervention and control groups and tested before and after eight weeks of core training intervention. The outcome measures include the Sport-specific Endurance Plank test, the Closed Kinetic Chain Lower Extremity Stability test, and the modified Star Excursion Balance test.
Data Analysis: The Shapiro-Wilk test, Q-Q plots, and Box plots will be used to evaluate the normality of the data. Lavan's test will check the homogeneity of variances. Based on the normality results, parametric or non-parametric tests will be implemented to compare within and between groups. A P-value of <0.05 will be used to reflect the significance of the results. An intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis will be employed to address potential missing data.
Keywords: core stability, endurance, kinetic chain, athletes, soccer.
- Conditions
- The Study Investigates the Efficacy of Core Stability Training on Core Endurance and Kinetic Chain Function and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Adult Soccer Players, Core Stability, Dynamic Balance, Kinetic Chain Function
- Being tested
- Core stability exercises, Regular soccer training
- Keywords
- Keywords: core stability, endurance, kinetic chain, athletes, soccer., soccer, Athletic performance, core endurance, kinetic chain function
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Core stability exercisesOther
exercises for the trunk, pelvic, and hip muscles
Regular soccer trainingOther
the routine exercises performed regularly by soccer players
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| core training group | Experimental | This group will receive core stability training + their regular soccer training Receives: Other: Core stability exercises; Other: Regular soccer training |
| control group | Active comparator | this group will continue their usual soccer training Receives: Other: Regular soccer training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Sport-specific Endurance Plank test
Participants will start with a standard prone plank position on a bench supported on their elbows and feet. They must keep their head, torso, pelvis, and heels in a straight line and their elbows aligned vertically with their shoulders. While maintaining this position for 60 seconds (s), they will perform several tasks consecutively: (1) raise their right arm for 15 s, then lower it and raise their left arm for 15 seconds, then lower it down; (2) lift the right leg (in a straight position) for 15 s, then lower it and lift the left leg for 15 seconds and lower it down; (3) raise the right arm and left leg (diagonally) for 15 s and lower them down; (4) raise the left arm and right leg (diagonally) for 15 s and lower them down; (5) keep the prone plank position for 30s. Then, participants will repeat the same steps (1-5) until the prone plank position cannot be maintained.
Measured: 60 seconds
Closed Kinetic Chain Lower Extremity Stability Test
First, participants will be asked to lie on the floor mat in a prone plank position; their feet will be apart at shoulder width. While maintaining the prone plank position with their body kept in a straight line, participants will be asked to start crossing their legs alternately as fast as possible for 15 seconds. The Assessor will start the stopwatch, pre-setted for 15 seconds when the participants start moving. The assessor will simultaneously and manually count the number of successful crosses each participant can make during those 15 seconds. A successful cross is defined as participants touching, with their moving foot, the floor at the lateral side of their stationary foot and then fully returning to the starting position.
Measured: 15 seconds
Secondary outcomes (1)
The Modified Star Balance Excursion Test
The floor will be taped with three crossing lines. Participants will be asked to stay barefoot and to stand upright with one foot (foot of the testing limb) positioned in the middle of the grid. The most distal part of the big toe of the stance leg should be placed just at the crossroad between the three lines. The position of the stationary foot should remain constant throughout the whole testing procedure. Moreover, participants' hands shall remain on their hips throughout the test to focus on the lower limb performance. Participants will then be asked to reach as far as possible with the other limb in each of the three directions. They should touch (without weight bearing) the line where they can maximally reach by the most distal part of the big toe and return to the starting position without losing their balance. Using a tape measure, the assessor will measure and record the distance (in centimeters) reached.
Measured: 10 minutes
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Jan 2026
- Study start10 Feb 2026
- Primary completion15 May 2026
- Study completion15 May 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for The Study Investigates the Efficacy of Core Stability Training on Core Endurance and Kinetic Chain Function and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Adult Soccer PlayersStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 28 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Shibili Nuhmani, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07326956
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB-PGS-2025-03-0529
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 24 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 7 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: To ensure the confidentiality of our participants' information.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Efficacy of Core Stability Training on Endurance, Kinetic Chain Function, and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Adult Soccer Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07326956
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRB-PGS-2025-03-0529
- Conditions
- The Study Investigates the Efficacy of Core Stability Training on Core Endurance and Kinetic Chain Function and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Adult Soccer Players, Core Stability, Dynamic Balance, Kinetic Chain Function
- Keywords
- Keywords: core stability, endurance, kinetic chain, athletes, soccer., soccer, Athletic performance, core endurance, kinetic chain function
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 28 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 May 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 May 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 8 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Background: The core has two functions, both critical to soccer performance. The first is to provide proximal stability, allowing efficient mobility at the distal parts. This function requires a submaximal contraction of core muscles for as long as the movement takes. It was reported that core endurance is the construct most closely representing this function. The second function is generating and transferring forces from one extremity to another. This function operates via the kinetic chain theory, which implies that various body parts are connected through myofascial kinetic chains, and that a defect in one part of the chain can lead to faulty mechanics and balance, potentially causing injuries in other parts of that chain.
Aim: To investigate the efficacy of core stability training on core endurance, lower limb kinetic chain function, and lower limb dynamic balance in professional, healthy young adult soccer players.
Methods: This is a randomized, controlled trial with a parallel, two-arm, pre- and post-design. After screening for eligibility and obtaining participants' consents, at least 28 male and female soccer players will be randomly assigned to intervention and control groups and tested before and after eight weeks of core training intervention. The outcome measures include the Sport-specific Endurance Plank test, the Closed Kinetic Chain Lower Extremity Stability test, and the modified Star Excursion Balance test.
Data Analysis: The Shapiro-Wilk test, Q-Q plots, and Box plots will be used to evaluate the normality of the data. Lavan's test will check the homogeneity of variances. Based on the normality results, parametric or non-parametric tests will be implemented to compare within and between groups. A P-value of <0.05 will be used to reflect the significance of the results. An intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis will be employed to address potential missing data.
Keywords: core stability, endurance, kinetic chain, athletes, soccer.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| core training group | Experimental | Other: Core stability exercises, Other: Regular soccer trainingThis group will receive core stability training + their regular soccer training |
| control group | Active comparator | Other: Regular soccer trainingthis group will continue their usual soccer training |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Healthy, young adult soccer players of both genders between 18 and 35 years.
- Normal Body mass index (BMI) according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines (18.5-24.9).
- Normal waist circumference (<88 cm for women and < 102 cm for men).
Key exclusion criteria (15 listed)
- As reported by participants, they will be excluded if they have a history of:
- Upon inspection and palpation by the primary researcher, participants will be excluded if they have:
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Core stability exercisesexercises for the trunk, pelvic, and hip muscles | Other | core training group |
| Regular soccer trainingthe routine exercises performed regularly by soccer players | Other | control group, core training group |
Primary outcome
Sport-specific Endurance Plank test
Time frame: 60 seconds
Participants will start with a standard prone plank position on a bench supported on their elbows and feet. They must keep their head, torso, pelvis, and heels in a straight line and their elbows aligned vertically with their shoulders. While maintaining this position for 60 seconds (s), they will perform several tasks consecutively: (1) raise their right arm for 15 s, then lower it and raise their left arm for 15 seconds, then lower it down; (2) lift the right leg (in a straight position) for 15 s, then lower it and lift the left leg for 15 seconds and lower it down; (3) raise the right arm and left leg (diagonally) for 15 s and lower them down; (4) raise the left arm and right leg (diagonally) for 15 s and lower them down; (5) keep the prone plank position for 30s. Then, participants will repeat the same steps (1-5) until the prone plank position cannot be maintained.
Closed Kinetic Chain Lower Extremity Stability Test
Time frame: 15 seconds
First, participants will be asked to lie on the floor mat in a prone plank position; their feet will be apart at shoulder width. While maintaining the prone plank position with their body kept in a straight line, participants will be asked to start crossing their legs alternately as fast as possible for 15 seconds. The Assessor will start the stopwatch, pre-setted for 15 seconds when the participants start moving. The assessor will simultaneously and manually count the number of successful crosses each participant can make during those 15 seconds. A successful cross is defined as participants touching, with their moving foot, the floor at the lateral side of their stationary foot and then fully returning to the starting position.
1 secondary outcome
The Modified Star Balance Excursion Test
Time frame: 10 minutes
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 7 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. To ensure the confidentiality of our participants' information.
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Core stability exercises and Regular soccer training in people with The Study Investigates the Efficacy of Core Stability Training on Core Endurance and Kinetic Chain Function and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Adult Soccer Players and Core Stability, run by Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University at 1 site in Saudi Arabia.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 15 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Saudi Arabia. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Sport-specific Endurance Plank test (time frame: 60 seconds). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 7 Oct 2026.