Comparison of Balance, Core Stabilization Performance, Foot Reaction Time and Body Awareness in Young Amateur Football Players From Different Age Groups

Health Institutes of Turkey50 enrolled

Overview

Aim of the study is to compare balance, core stabilization performance, foot reaction time, and body awareness in 50 amateur football players aged 13-19 (Group I: 13-15 years, and Group II: 16-19 years) according to age, and to determine age-related performance differences.

The aim of this study is to evaluate balance, core stabilization performance, foot reaction time and body awareness in amateur football players aged 13-19 years, to examine how these parameters change according to age groups, and to compare and reveal developmental differences in these performance components in young athletes. This research study is designed as an observational and cross-sectional evaluation study. The study aims to collect and compare the data according to age on participants' sociodemographic data, balance status using the Y-Balance Test, endurance levels using the McGill Core Endurance Test, reaction time using the Nelson Foot Reaction Test, and awareness levels using the Body Awareness Questionnaire.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Amateur Football Players Aged 13-19

Eligibility

Sex: MALEMin age: 13 YearsMax age: 19 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Being a licensed amateur football player aged 13-19. * Having played football regularly (at least 3 days a week) for the past year. * Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Having a diagnosis of any neurological, orthopedic, or systemic disorder. * Having a diagnosis of visual impairment or any systemic disease affecting balance. * Having any significant physical limitations that would prevent the administration of the tests. * Having a diagnosed psychological disorder that would hinder communication.

Locations (1)

Haliç Üniversitesi

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Y Balance Test (YBT)

The YBT requires the athlete to balance on one leg whilst simultaneously reaching as far as possible with the other leg in three separate directions: anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial. Therefore, this test measures the athlete's strength, stability and balance in various directions. The YBT composite score is calculated by summing the three reach directions and normalising the results to the lower limb length.

Time frame: Baseline

McGill Core Endurance Test

This test measures the stabilization capacity and muscle endurance of the core muscles (abdominal, back, oblique, and lower back muscles). It is performed in four positions: Trunk Flexor Test, Trunk Extensor Test (Sorensen Test), Side Bridge Test (Left \& Right). The time (in seconds) spent maintaining the required positions is measured and recorded using a stopwatch.

Time frame: Baseline

Nelson Foot Reaction Test

The Nelson Foot Reaction Test measures simple foot-eye reaction time and lower limb neuromuscular coordination. Using a drop ruler, it requires the subject to quickly stop or "trap" a falling measurement stick between their foot and a wall or the floor in response to an auditory or visual trigger. The Reaction: The subject reacts as quickly as possible, pressing their foot forward to pinch/stop the falling ruler against the wall.Recording: The point where the ruler is stopped indicates the distance it traveled. The reaction time is calculated using the formula: Reaction Time (seconds) = √2 \* Distance (cm)/980.

Time frame: Baseline

Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ)

BAQ is an 18-item self-report scale designed to measure how attentive you are to normal, non-emotional internal bodily processes. It evaluates your sensitivity to everyday bodily cycles (like sleep and hunger), ability to detect subtle changes, and capacity to anticipate physical reactions. Typically takes about 3 to 5 minutes. Items are generally rated on a 1 to 7 scale, with higher total scores indicating greater perceived confidence and accuracy in monitoring your physical state over time.

Time frame: Baseline

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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