HealthyKICKNCT06815276
Core Stability Training and Athletic Performance in Amateur Footballers
A study testing Exercise in people with Healthy, run by Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, Politécnico e Universitário at 1 site in Portugal.
Trial summary
This study aims to evaluate the effects of a core strengthening program on the athletic performance of amateur football players aged 18 to 35. Conducted as a double-blind randomized controlled trial, the research compares two groups: one undergoing traditional football training combined with a 12-week core… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Healthy
- What is being tested?
- Exercise
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePortugal
- Study dates
- Feb 2025to Jun 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Male amateur football players aged between 18 and 35 years,
- Active members of local football clubs;
- Medically cleared and physically fit to participate in regular training sessions and matches.
Who cannot join
- Individuals already engaged in a core strengthening program;
- Participants with injuries or medical conditions that contraindicate participation in the study or could interfere with the intervention.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Portugal1 site
Escola Superior de Saúde do Vale do Ave
Vila Nova de Famalicão, Braga District, 4760-409
Maria A Paço, PhD, +351 252 303 600, maria.paco@ipsn.cespu.pt
Paula D Chaves, PhD, +351 252 303 600, paula.chaves@ipsn.cespu.pt
About this study
Official title: Core Stability and Performance: A Randomized Control Trial in Amateur Football Players
This study aims to evaluate the effects of a core strengthening program on the athletic performance of amateur football players aged 18 to 35. Conducted as a double-blind randomized controlled trial, the research compares two groups: one undergoing traditional football training combined with a 12-week core strengthening program, and another following only regular training and matches.
Key outcomes include:
Read more
Core strength (measured using the Plank Endurance Test), Balance (assessed through the Y-Balance Test), Functional power (evaluated with the Vertical Jump Test), Overall Athletic Performance: Illinois (assessed through Illinois Agility Test)
Participants will be randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. Assessments will be conducted pre- and post-intervention to determine the program's impact on physical fitness and performance. The findings will provide insights into whether targeted core training enhances key physical attributes and athletic abilities, critical to injury prevention, functional capacity, and athletic performance.
Read the detailed description
This study will investigate the effects of a core strengthening program on the physical fitness and athletic performance of amateur football players aged 18 to 35. Designed as a double-blind randomized controlled trial, the research aims to provide robust evidence on how targeted core training influences key performance indicators, offering practical applications for physiotherapy, sports science, and athletic training.
Study Purpose
Core muscles play a pivotal role in stabilizing the spine, transferring forces, and enhancing movement efficiency during athletic activities. Weakness or instability in the core can lead to suboptimal performance and increase the risk of injuries, particularly in sports like football, where balance, agility, and power are essential. This study seeks to evaluate whether a structured, evidence-based core strengthening program can enhance core strength, balance, functional power, and overall athletic performance in amateur football players.
Methodology
A total of 50 male amateur football players from local clubs will be invited to voluntarily participate in the study. Participants will be randomly divided into two groups:
Experimental Group: Traditional football training combined with a 12-week core strengthening program.
Control Group: Followed only regular football training. The core strengthening program, inspired by McGill's principles of core training, includes progressive exercises performed three times per week for 12 weeks. Each session will last 15 minutes and will be integrated into the players' regular training schedules.
Assessments
Participants will perform comprehensive evaluations at the beginning and end of the study to measure the following outcomes:
Core Strength: Plank Endurance Test, a validated measure of muscular endurance. Balance: Evaluated with the Y-Balance Test, to assess dynamic balance and agility.
Functional Power: Measured using the Vertical Jump Test, to evaluate lower limb strength and explosive power.
Overall Athletic Performance: Illinois Agility Test, to assess agility..
Expected Impact
The findings are expected to highlight the effect of targeted core training in optimizing physical performance. This study underscores the importance of core stability as a foundational component of athletic conditioning, offering practical applications for physiotherapists, sports scientists, coaches, and athletes aiming to enhance performance and maintain physical health.
- Conditions
- Healthy
- Being tested
- Exercise
- Keywords
- Performance, football, core, balance, agility, power
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
ExerciseOther
core muscle training
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental | Experimental | Regular training + Core muscle training Receives: Other: Exercise |
| Control | No intervention | Regular training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Core Strength - Plank Endurance Test
Participants assume a prone position, supporting their body weight on forearms and toes, maintaining a straight line from head to heels. The duration for which the position is held without compromising form is recorded, reflecting the endurance capacity of the core musculature.
Measured: baseline and 12 weeks
Balance - Y balance test
Assesses dynamic balance by having participants reach as far as possible in multiple directions with one foot while maintaining balance on the other, providing insight into lower limb stability and control.
Measured: baseline and 12 weeks
Overall Athletic Performance - Illinois Agility Test
Measures agility by timing participants as they navigate a predetermined course involving directional changes, reflecting their ability to accelerate, decelerate, and change direction efficiently.
Measured: baseline and 12 weeks
Functional Power: Vertical Jump Test
Participants perform a maximal vertical jump from a standing position, with the jump height measured to evaluate lower body explosive power.
Measured: baseline and 12 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 Feb 2025
- Study startFeb 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completionMay 2025 (estimated)
- Study completionJun 2025 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for HealthyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, Politécnico e Universitário
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Maria Paço, Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, Politécnico e Universitário
- Investigators
- Maria A Paço, PhD, Principal investigator, H²M - Health and Human Movement Unit, Polytechnic University of Health, CESPU, CRL 4760-409 Vila Nova de Famalicão.Paula D Chaves, PhD, Principal investigator, H²M - Health and Human Movement Unit, Polytechnic University of Health, CESPU, CRL 4760-409 Vila Nova de Famalicão.
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06815276
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Core stability and performance
- Acronym
- KICK
- Status last verified
- Feb 2025
- First submitted
- 20 Jan 2025
- Last updated
- 11 Feb 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: Deciding whether to share Individual Participant Data (IPD) involves weighing several considerations... we have to further reflect to make an informed decision about sharing IPD, balancing the potential benefits to the scientific community with the responsibility to protect participant rights and data integrity.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 11 Feb 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Core Stability and Performance: A Randomized Control Trial in Amateur Football Players
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06815276
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- KICK / Core stability and performance
- Conditions
- Healthy
- Keywords
- Performance, football, core, balance, agility, power
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, Politécnico e UniversitárioUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Feb 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- May 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Jun 2025 (estimated)
- First posted
- 7 Feb 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study aims to evaluate the effects of a core strengthening program on the athletic performance of amateur football players aged 18 to 35. Conducted as a double-blind randomized controlled trial, the research compares two groups: one undergoing traditional football training combined with a 12-week core strengthening program, and another following only regular training and matches.
Key outcomes include:
Core strength (measured using the Plank Endurance Test), Balance (assessed through the Y-Balance Test), Functional power (evaluated with the Vertical Jump Test), Overall Athletic Performance: Illinois (assessed through Illinois Agility Test)
Participants will be randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. Assessments will be conducted pre- and post-intervention to determine the program's impact on physical fitness and performance. The findings will provide insights into whether targeted core training enhances key physical attributes and athletic abilities, critical to injury prevention, functional capacity, and athletic performance.
Detailed description
This study will investigate the effects of a core strengthening program on the physical fitness and athletic performance of amateur football players aged 18 to 35. Designed as a double-blind randomized controlled trial, the research aims to provide robust evidence on how targeted core training influences key performance indicators, offering practical applications for physiotherapy, sports science, and athletic training.
Study Purpose
Core muscles play a pivotal role in stabilizing the spine, transferring forces, and enhancing movement efficiency during athletic activities. Weakness or instability in the core can lead to suboptimal performance and increase the risk of injuries, particularly in sports like football, where balance, agility, and power are essential. This study seeks to evaluate whether a structured, evidence-based core strengthening program can enhance core strength, balance, functional power, and overall athletic performance in amateur football players.
Methodology
A total of 50 male amateur football players from local clubs will be invited to voluntarily participate in the study. Participants will be randomly divided into two groups:
Experimental Group: Traditional football training combined with a 12-week core strengthening program.
Control Group: Followed only regular football training. The core strengthening program, inspired by McGill's principles of core training, includes progressive exercises performed three times per week for 12 weeks. Each session will last 15 minutes and will be integrated into the players' regular training schedules.
Assessments
Participants will perform comprehensive evaluations at the beginning and end of the study to measure the following outcomes:
Core Strength: Plank Endurance Test, a validated measure of muscular endurance. Balance: Evaluated with the Y-Balance Test, to assess dynamic balance and agility.
Functional Power: Measured using the Vertical Jump Test, to evaluate lower limb strength and explosive power.
Overall Athletic Performance: Illinois Agility Test, to assess agility..
Expected Impact
The findings are expected to highlight the effect of targeted core training in optimizing physical performance. This study underscores the importance of core stability as a foundational component of athletic conditioning, offering practical applications for physiotherapists, sports scientists, coaches, and athletes aiming to enhance performance and maintain physical health.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Experimental | Experimental | Other: ExerciseRegular training + Core muscle training |
| Control | No intervention | –Regular training |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Male amateur football players aged between 18 and 35 years,
- Active members of local football clubs;
- Medically cleared and physically fit to participate in regular training sessions and matches.
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Individuals already engaged in a core strengthening program;
- Participants with injuries or medical conditions that contraindicate participation in the study or could interfere with the intervention.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Exercisecore muscle training | Other | Experimental |
Primary outcome
Core Strength - Plank Endurance Test
Time frame: baseline and 12 weeks
Participants assume a prone position, supporting their body weight on forearms and toes, maintaining a straight line from head to heels. The duration for which the position is held without compromising form is recorded, reflecting the endurance capacity of the core musculature.
Balance - Y balance test
Time frame: baseline and 12 weeks
Assesses dynamic balance by having participants reach as far as possible in multiple directions with one foot while maintaining balance on the other, providing insight into lower limb stability and control.
Overall Athletic Performance - Illinois Agility Test
Time frame: baseline and 12 weeks
Measures agility by timing participants as they navigate a predetermined course involving directional changes, reflecting their ability to accelerate, decelerate, and change direction efficiently.
Functional Power: Vertical Jump Test
Time frame: baseline and 12 weeks
Participants perform a maximal vertical jump from a standing position, with the jump height measured to evaluate lower body explosive power.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 11 Feb 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. Deciding whether to share Individual Participant Data (IPD) involves weighing several considerations... we have to further reflect to make an informed decision about sharing IPD, balancing the potential benefits to the scientific community with the responsibility to protect participant rights and data integrity.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Maria A Paço, PhD principal investigator
H²M - Health and Human Movement Unit, Polytechnic University of Health, CESPU, CRL 4760-409 Vila Nova de Famalicão.
Paula D Chaves, PhD principal investigator
H²M - Health and Human Movement Unit, Polytechnic University of Health, CESPU, CRL 4760-409 Vila Nova de Famalicão.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Exercise in people with Healthy, run by Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, Politécnico e Universitário at 1 site in Portugal.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 11 Feb 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Portugal. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Maria A Paço, PhD (+351 224 157 100, maria.paco@ipsn.cespu.pt), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Core Strength - Plank Endurance Test (time frame: baseline and 12 weeks). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 11 Feb 2025.