Effect of an 8-Weeks Core Training Program Applied to 12-14 Years Old Basketball Players on Strength, Balance and Basketball Skill

Aim: This study aimed to provide the effects of 8-weeks core training program applied to 12-14 years old male basketball players on general strength, balance and psychomotor development level. Methods: Thirty voluntary subjects (experimental group n=16; control group n=14) with an understanding toward the aims of this study were selected and Basketball Psychomotor Development Level, Sport Specific Core Muscle and Stabilization, Stabilometer (static balance) and Y Balance (dynamic balance) abilities, before and after Core Training Program, were measured. In the study, groups were assessed by using paired samples T-Test analysis at the levels of Basketball Psychomotor Development Level, Sport Specific Core Muscle Strength and Stabilization, Stabilometer and Y-Balance parameters. Intergroup Tests were assessed by Independent Samples T-test analysis at pre-test and post-test evaluations. Results: As a result, statistically significant difference was found in favor of the experiment group in the core strength training program applied for 8 weeks, in the Sports Specific Core Strength and Stabilization, in the Basketball Psychomotor Development level, in the Stabilometer and in the Y-Balance between the groups. Conclusion: As a result of the measurements, it is suggested that the applied training program has an effect on the development of core strength and core stabilization, static and dynamic balance and basketball psychomotor development level. In order for the development to be sustainable, the core training program should be included in the training routines. As it is applied in the program, it is considered that it would be appropriate to perform it three days a week every other day, and to upgrade the program regularly.