Core Training for Adolescent Basketball Players; Strength, Functional Performance and Symmetry Index

The aim was to examine the effect of 8-week core training on core strength, functional performance parameters and injury tendency in adolescent basketball players. 15 male basketball athletes aged 12-14 participated in the research. In addition to basketball training, the participants were given a core exercise program (CEP) 3 days a week, 30 minutes a day for 8 weeks. Before and after the program, the participants performed to a Push-Up Test (ST), four different single leg hop tests on the dominant (Dt) and non-dominant (Ndt) sides, and a plank test (PT). Paired Samples T-Test and One Way Anova tests were used to analyze the data obtained. When the research findings were examined; there were significant differences between the pretest and posttest performances of the participants in the single leg hop for distance (SLH), medial rotation hop (MRA), ST and PT tests (p<0.05), but there were not significant differences in the cross hop (CH) and triple hop (TH) tests (P>0.05). Additionally, it was observed that core training did not have a significant effect on the limb symmetry indexes (LSI) on the Dt and Ndt sides (P>0.05). In conclusion; It can be said that core training positively affects the strength development of adolescent basketball players and does not have a negative effect on bilateral injury tendencies. In conclusion; it can be said that core training positively affects core strength development and functional performance in adolescent basketball players and does not have a negative effect on bilateral injury tendencies.