Influence of Core Training on Fatigue, Balance and Performance in Adolescent Football Players

Summary

Background:

Adolescent football players are exposed to high physical and psychological demands due to intensive training, frequent matches, travel, and limited recovery time. These factors can lead to early fatigue, reduced balance, and lower technical performance, all of which may increase the risk of non-contact injuries. The muscles of the trunk (core muscles) help stabilize the spine and pelvis, transfer forces between the upper and lower limbs, and maintain postural control during sport-specific movements. Weak core stability has been linked to poorer balance, reduced fatigue resistance, and suboptimal performance. Although core training is widely used in sports, there is limited evidence on its combined effects on fatigue, balance, and football-specific performance in adolescent players.

Objectives:

This randomized controlled trial aims to examine whether an 8-week core training program can improve fatigue resistance, balance, and football performance in adolescent football players compared with usual training alone.

Methods:

This is a pre-post, parallel-group randomized controlled trial conducted at Wadi Degla Football Club. Eligible participants are male adolescent football players aged 14-18 years from the 2005, 2006, and 2007 teams, who train regularly (at least 6 hours per week), have a body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m², and have been free from lower-limb injury or surgery for at least 6 months. Players with recent major lower-limb injuries, surgery, or irregular training will be excluded.

Participants will be randomly allocated into two groups using computer-generated random numbers: (1) a core-training group, which receives an 8-week structured core exercise program in addition to their usual football training, and (2) a control group, which continues usual football training without additional core exercises. Both groups will be assessed before and after the intervention period. Outcome measures will include fatigue-related performance, static and/or dynamic balance, and football-specific performance tests.

Potential Benefits and Risks:

The study may help clarify whether adding core training to routine football practice can enhance fatigue resistance, balance, and functional performance in adolescent football players and potentially reduce injury risk. The exercises are commonly used in sports settings and are considered low risk for healthy athletes; no significant risks beyond normal football training are anticipated. Participation is voluntary, and players may withdraw from the study at any time without any consequences for their team status or medical care.

Conditions

• Musculoskeletal
• Fatigability
• Core Muscle Weakness
• Balance Changes
• Sport Injuries

Interventions

OTHER

Core Training Group

An 8-week core stability training program including trunk strengthening and stabilization exercises performed in addition to the players' usual football training, three sessions per week under supervision.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• General Organization for Teaching Hospitals and Institutes

  collaborator OTHER

• Cairo University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Ahmed Torad, Phd · Departement of basic sciences, faculty of physical therapy, kafrelsheikh university

• Ahmed Saber Rageh, PhD · Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, University of East London branch at European Universities in Egypt (EUE).

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

14 Years

Max Age

18 Years

Sex

MALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-11-07

Primary Completion

2026-02-11

Completion

2026-04-21

Countries

• Egypt

Study Locations