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

This study aims to examine the effects of a 6‐week core stabilization exercise program onbalance, coordination, and core endurance parameters in young soccer players. Soccer is asport that requires multifaceted skills such as balance, agility, and endurance, and itis well‐known that stabilization of the lumbopelvic region (core) plays a critical rolein enhancing performance and reducing the risk of injury.The study will include male volunteer athletes aged 14‐17 years from the Alayköy FootballClub 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 corestabilization program (plank, side plank, dead bug, etc.) twice a week for 6 weeks inaddition to their routine training, while the control group will continue only withroutine soccer training. Data will be collected using the Y‐Balance Test, Pro‐AgilityTest, Squat Repetition Test, McGill Core Endurance Tests (Flexion and Lateral Bridge),and Prone Extension Test. Data analysis will be performed using Statistical Package forthe Social Sciences version 27.0; the Wilcoxon test will be used for within‐groupchanges, and the Mann‐Whitney U test will be used for between‐group comparisons. Ethicalcommittee approval was obtained from the Scientific Research and Publication EthicsCommittee (BAYEK) of the European University of Lefke, and informed consent forms will becollected from participants and their parents.