The core is the center of the functional kinetic chain providing the proximal stability for the distal mobility and function of the limbs. The study aims to verify the effects of an integrative core stability training on jump and sprint performance in young basketball players. Young basketball players were involved in the study (n = 42, 16 female, 26 male) whose age, stature and weight were respectively (average ± ds) 8.22 ± 0.4 years, 118.2 ± 3.7 cm and 28.8 ± 4.9 kg and was randomly divided in Training Group (TG, n = 24, 10 F, 14 M) and Control Group (CG, n = 18, 6 F, 12 M). The training program was monitored for 4 weeks (8 sessions, twice a week and lasting 1 hour each during the usual sports activity; in addition to the usual technical and sport-specific exercises, the TG introduced only 4 core stability exercises in the warm-up). The results revealed a change in test scores across the two time periods for TG in the left limb Side hop (p < 0.026), in the right limb side hop (p < 0.001), in the left limb 6 meter timed hop (p < 0.0005), in the right limb 6 meter timed hop (p < 0.0005), in the vertical jump (p < 0.002), in the 10 meters sprint (p < 0.0005) and in the 10 × 5 meters test (p < 0.001). The CG highlighted differences statistically significant only in the 10 meters sprint (p < 0.05). The study confirms the need to hypothesize in youth sport supplementary sessions intended for strength training, as the literature has already suggested for several years.

BackgroundThe Functional Movement Screen (FMS) protocol consists of 7 tests (Cook & Burton, 2014). At higher values mean higher quality of movement execution. Lower limb functional asymmetry (FA) is monitored to control the athlete's injury risk (Sannicandroet al., 2011).ObjectiveTo examine the correlation between the FMS score and strength asymmetry in professional soccer players (PSP).DesignDescriptive study (correlation study investigating the relationship between variables).SettingProfessional soccer.Participantsn=30 professional soccer players (age: 22.2±4.6; weight: 74.3±10,1 kg; height: 176.1±8.7 cm), 4 players were excluded due to joint or muscle injury within the last 18 months.Assessment of Risk FactorsThe FMS protocol identifies athletes as being at risk of injury when the total score is ≤14. The Hop Test (HT), Side Hop (SH) and Hop Crossover (CH) test are considered to represent a valid assessment of the single lower limb FA. The counter movement jump (CMJ) test indirectly evaluates explosive strength capacity (jump height).Main Outcome MeasurementsThe sample was evaluated using the 7 FMS test and CMJ, HT, SH and CH tests for strength capacity. FA was calculated between the two limbs as follows: (jump dominant limb–jump non-dominant limb)/jump dominant-limb*100 (Yamamoto, 1993).ResultsWe observed a significant inverse correlation between FMS score and the SH asymmetry percentage (r=−0.678, p<0.01) and the CH asymmetry percentage (r=−0.572,p<0.01). We also observed a significant positive correlation between the FMS score and CMJ values (r=0.531, p<0.01). No significant correlation was found between FMS and the HT asymmetry percentage (r=−0.245).ConclusionsThe best quality movement in FMS test was correlated with high performance in CMJ and with low percentage of lower limb FA, respectively.

Background Functional asymmetries of the lower limbs(FA) have been recognised as a potential source of injury risk of in soccer players;moreover a difference in strength performance between the lower limbs exceeding 15% is considered an injury risk factor. Preventative strategies should be integrated into young football player training regimes. Table 1.Young soccer players: mean age 9.1±0.1 years. n.athletes>15% Total %>15% % others Hop 25 227 11,2 88,8 Triple 19 227 8,4 91,6 Side 33 227 14,5 85,5 Table 2.Young soccer players: mean age 11.2±0.1 years *p>0.05. n.athletes>15% Total %>15% % others Hop 27 200 13,7 86,3 Triple 16 200 8,3 91,7 Side 37 200 18,5 81,5 Objective To assess the presence of FA in the lower limbs and evaluate whether the percentage of subjects presenting asymmetries exceeding 15% increases with age. Design Cross-sectional studies. Setting Youth sports. Participants 427 young soccer players: 9.1±0.1 years, 36.3±6.5 kg, 137.9±7.1cm (n=227) and 11.2±0.1 yrs, 43.8±9.7 kg, 148.9±9.1 cm (n=200). Risk factor assessment Monopodalic jump;all three versions were employed: Single (SI), Triple (TR) and Side hop(SE) is considered a valid indicator of FA in the lower limbs. Main outcome measurements Strength in each of the lower limbs was assessed by means of the SI, TR and SE test; the percentage of FA between the lower limbs was calculated using the formula proposed by Yamamoto, 1993: (jump dominant-limb-jump non-dominant limb)/jump dominant-limb*100. Results The percentage valuesare summarised in tables 1 and 2. Conclusions The highest percentage of subjects presenting asymmetries was detected in the 11yr-olds. Comparing the results for the two age groups revealed a statistically significant difference for the SideHop test.

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