Football players require good core strength and balance to perform well and reduce the risk of injury. The muscles of the trunk and diaphragm play an important role in maintaining stability, posture, and movement control during sports activities. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of core stability training combined with balloon breathing exercises on dynamic balance, hop performance, and core endurance in professional football players. Balloon breathing exercises are designed to improve diaphragmatic breathing and trunk muscle activation. Eligible football players will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group will receive core stability training combined with balloon breathing exercises along with regular football training, while the other group will receive core stability training with regular football training only. The intervention will be performed three times per week for eight weeks under the supervision of a physiotherapist. Outcome measures, including dynamic balance, hop performances, core endurance, and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), will be assessed at baseline, during the intervention, at the end of the program, and at a three-month follow-up. The findings of this study may help improve training strategies aimed at enhancing performance and reducing injury risk in football players.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
68
McGill's Big Three core stability exercises including curl-up, side bridge, and bird-dog exercises performed three times per week for eight weeks, with progression to unstable surfaces as tolerated.
Diaphragmatic breathing exercise involving controlled inhalation through the nose and prolonged exhalation into a balloon while maintaining trunk engagement, performed alongside core exercises for eight weeks.
Gulf medical University
Ajman, Al Jurf, United Arab Emirates
Dynamic Balance (Y-Balance Test)
Dynamic balance will be assessed using the Y-Balance Test. Reach distances in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions will be measured and normalized to leg length.
Time frame: Baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks post-intervention
Core Muscle Endurance
Core endurance will be assessed using McGill's trunk endurance tests, including trunk flexor hold, trunk extensor hold, and side bridge hold tests. The duration (in seconds) each position is maintained will be recorded.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Lower Limb Hop Performance
Hop performance will be evaluated using single-leg hop, triple hop, and crossover hop tests. The distance hopped will be measured in centimeters.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
Vertical Jump Height
Vertical jump height will be measured using a validated smartphone application (My Jump 2). The average of the best two out of three trials will be recorded.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV)
Inspiratory muscle strength will be assessed using a portable respiratory pressure meter. The highest value from three maximal inspiratory efforts will be recorded.
Time frame: Baseline and 8 weeks
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