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Postural BalanceCORE-U17NCT07651189

The Effects of Core Stabilization Exercises on Physical Performance, Balance, and Coordination in Young Football Players

A study testing Core Stabilization Exercise Program in people with Postural Balance and Motor Coordination, run by European University of Lefke at 1 site in Cyprus.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This study aims to examine the effects of a 6-week core stabilization exercise program on balance, coordination, and core endurance parameters in young soccer players. Soccer is a sport that requires multifaceted skills such as balance, agility, and endurance, and it is well-known that stabilization of the lumbopelvic… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 14 to 17 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
Core Stabilization Exercise Program
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
20 participants
Where
1 siteCyprus
Study dates
17 Apr 2026to 5 Jun 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 14 to 17 years
  • Men only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Child

Who may be able to join

  • Be a member of the Alayköy Football Club Under-17 football team Be between the ages of 14 and 17 years Be a male football player Be able to participate in training sessions both in person and online Be able to demonstrate regular soccer training participation of at least three days per week Have participated in regular soccer training for at least one year Not have suffered a serious injury, acute health problem, or surgical intervention in the last three months that would prevent sports participation Agree to participate in the study voluntarily Have written informed consent signed by both the participant and parent or guardian

Who cannot join

  • Not be a member of the Alayköy Football Club Under-17 football team Be unable to participate in training sessions in person or online Have a history of lower or upper extremity surgical intervention, neurological disease, or serious musculoskeletal system injury within the last six months Demonstrate absenteeism that would interfere with participation in the exercise program or test protocols Fail to complete the test battery due to lack of motivation or cooperation issues during the evaluation process Be enrolled in a structured exercise or rehabilitation program outside the study protocol during the intervention period

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Cyprus1 site

  • Alayköy Football Club

    Nicosia, Nicosia

Other trials in Cyprus

About this study

This study aims to examine the effects of a 6-week core stabilization exercise program on balance, coordination, and core endurance parameters in young soccer players. Soccer is a sport that requires multifaceted skills such as balance, agility, and endurance, and it is well-known that stabilization of the lumbopelvic region (core) plays a critical role in enhancing performance and reducing the risk of injury.

The study will include male volunteer athletes aged 14-17 years from the Alayköy Football Club Under-17 team in Cyprus. Participants will be randomly assigned to an exercise group (n=10) and a control group (n=10). The exercise group will undergo a progressive core stabilization program (plank, side plank, dead bug, etc.) twice a week for 6 weeks in addition to their routine training, while the control group will continue only with routine soccer training. Data will be collected using the Y-Balance Test, Pro-Agility Test, Squat Repetition Test, McGill Core Endurance Tests (Flexion and Lateral Bridge), and Prone Extension Test. Data analysis will be performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 27.0; the Wilcoxon test will be used for within-group changes, and the Mann-Whitney U test will be used for between-group comparisons. Ethical committee approval was obtained from the Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee (BAYEK) of the European University of Lefke, and informed consent forms will be collected from participants and their parents.

Being tested
Core Stabilization Exercise Program
Keywords
Core Stability, Soccer, Balance, Coordination, Physical Performance, Young Athletes, Agility, Core Endurance, Football

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Core Stabilization Exercise ProgramBehavioural

    A progressive six-week core stabilization training program performed twice per week in addition to regular soccer training. The program includes exercises such as planks, side planks, dead bugs, Russian twists, and mountain climbers. The duration and difficulty will be gradually increased over the six-week period. Each session will last approximately 60 minutes including warm-up and cool-down. Exercises will be performed in four phases: warm-up exercises (pelvic tilt, cat-cow, dynamic side steps), stabilization-focused exercises (plank, side plank, dead bug, glute bridge), strength-focused exercises (Russian twists, mountain climbers, leg raises, hollow body hold), and cool-down exercises (child's pose, seated forward bend, cobra stretch).

Study groups in NCT07651189
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Core Stabilization Exercise GroupExperimentalParticipants in this group will perform a six-week progressive core stabilization exercise program in addition to their regular soccer training.
Receives: Behavioral: Core Stabilization Exercise Program
Control GroupNo interventionParticipants in this group will continue their routine soccer training without additional core stabilization exercises.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Dynamic Balance Performance

    Dynamic balance will be assessed using the Y-Balance Test (Star Excursion Balance Test), a reliable field-based measure of lower extremity neuromuscular control, postural stability, and functional symmetry. Participants will stand on a single leg at the center of a Y-shaped device and reach with the contralateral leg in three directions: anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral. Each reach direction will be performed three times. The mean of the three reach distances will be calculated and used as the dynamic balance score. Measurements will be performed at baseline and after the 6-week intervention period.

    Measured: 6 week

Secondary outcomes (5)

  1. Agility and Coordination

    Agility and change-of-direction speed will be evaluated using the Pro-Agility Test (5-10-5 shuttle run). Participants will start from a central line, sprint 5 meters to one side, touch the line, change direction and sprint 10 meters to the opposite side, touch the line, and sprint 5 meters back to the starting point. The time to complete the course will be recorded in seconds using a stopwatch. Each participant will perform multiple trials. Measurements will be conducted at baseline and after the 6-week intervention period.

    Measured: 6 week

  2. Lower Extremity Performance

    Lower extremity muscular performance will be assessed using a bodyweight squat repetition test. Participants will stand with feet shoulder-width apart and perform squats to approximately 90-degree knee flexion while maintaining proper trunk alignment. The number of correctly performed repetitions within a 30-second time interval will be recorded. Measurements will be performed at baseline and after the 6-week intervention period.

    Measured: 6 week

  3. Core Flexor Endurance

    Core flexor endurance will be assessed using the McGill Core Endurance Test flexor endurance test. Participants will maintain a static sit-up position with the trunk supported at approximately 60 degrees and the knees flexed at 90 degrees while the lower body is stabilized. The time the position is held without loss of posture will be recorded in seconds. Measurements will be performed at baseline and after the 6-week intervention period.

    Measured: 6 week

  4. Core Extensor Endurance

    Core extensor endurance will be assessed using the Prone Extension Test (Superman Test). Participants will be positioned prone on a flat surface. The upper extremities will be placed in shoulder flexion with elbows fully extended and lifted at head level while the lower extremities are maintained in neutral hip position. Participants will be instructed to simultaneously lift the trunk to sternum level and raise the lower extremities from the ground to achieve a full trunk extension position. The time sustained in the correct position will be recorded in seconds using a stopwatch. Measurements will be performed at baseline and after the 6-week intervention period.

    Measured: 6 week

  5. Lateral Core Endurance

    Lateral core endurance will be assessed using the McGill Core Endurance Test lateral bridge test. Participants will support their body on one forearm and the side of the foot, maintaining a straight line from head to feet. The holding time in seconds for each side will be recorded. Measurements will be taken at baseline and after the 6-week intervention period.

    Measured: 6 week

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted16 Jun 2026
  2. Study start17 Apr 2026
  3. Primary completion29 May 2026
  4. Study completion5 Jun 2026

Resources

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
Other
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Participants will be randomly assigned to either a core stabilization exercise group or a control group that will continue routine soccer training.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
20 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07651189
Sponsor's protocol ID
BAYEK060.13
Acronym
CORE-U17
Status last verified
Jun 2026
First submitted
10 Jun 2026
Last updated
16 Jun 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Sayers, S. P. (2007). High-speed power training: A functional assessment of squat performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 21(1), 64-68.

  • McGill, S. (2010). Core training: Evidence translating to better performance and injury prevention. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 32(3), 33-46. https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0b013e3181df4521

  • McGill SM, Childs A, Liebenson C. Endurance times for low back stabilization exercises: clinical targets for testing and training from a normal database. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1999 Aug;80(8):941-4. doi: 10.1016/s0003-9993(99)90087-4.

    PubMed 10453772

  • Sassi, R. H., Impellizzeri, F. M., Maffiuletti, N. A., Girard, O., & Della Valle, V. (2009). Reliability and validity of a new test of change of direction in soccer players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 23(3), 1046-1051.

  • Shaffer SW, Teyhen DS, Lorenson CL, Warren RL, Koreerat CM, Straseske CA, Childs JD. Y-balance test: a reliability study involving multiple raters. Mil Med. 2013 Nov;178(11):1264-70. doi: 10.7205/MILMED-D-13-00222.

    PubMed 24183777

  • Plisky PJ, Gorman PP, Butler RJ, Kiesel KB, Underwood FB, Elkins B. The reliability of an instrumented device for measuring components of the star excursion balance test. N Am J Sports Phys Ther. 2009 May;4(2):92-9.

    PubMed 21509114

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Core Stabilization Exercise Program in people with Postural Balance and Motor Coordination, run by European University of Lefke at 1 site in Cyprus.

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 1 inclusion and 1 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 16 Jun 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 Cyprus. 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?

Dynamic Balance Performance (time frame: 6 week). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07651189, which also lists 6 linked publications.

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 16 Jun 2026.

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