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

NCT07560319 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: FPTBSUREC/0107/14925
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief 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

Keywords

Adolescent football players; Youth soccer players; Core training; Core stability; Sports performance; Balance; Fatigue; Randomized controlled trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in fatigue-related performance

  Change in fatigue-related performance of adolescent football players from baseline to 8 weeks, assessed using a standardized field-based fatigue protocol fatigue index appropriate for youth football. Higher post-training scores indicate better fatigue resistance.

  Baseline and after 8 weeks of training

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Change in balance performance

  Baseline and after 8 weeks of training

Study Arms (2)

Core Training Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Adolescent football players receiving an 8-week structured core training program in addition to their usual football training.

Other: Core Training Group

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Adolescent football players continuing their usual football training without the additional core training program.

Interventions

Core Training Group OTHER

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.

Core Training Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 14 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male adolescent football players aged 14-18 years
• Registered players from Wadi Degla football teams
• Free from lower limb injuries for at least 6 months before the start of the study
• Body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m²
• Regular participation in football training for at least 6 hours per week

You may not qualify if:

• Not regularly participating in football training for at least 6 hours per week
• History of major lower limb injury within the last 6 months
• History of lower limb surgery before the study period

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cairo University: lead
• General Organization for Teaching Hospitals and Institutes: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Cairo University

Giza, Giza Governorate, 12613, Egypt

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Fatigue

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Ahmed Torad, Phd

  Departement of basic sciences, faculty of physical therapy, kafrelsheikh university

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• 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 DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Outcome assessors will be masked to group allocation; participants, coaches, and treating staff will know the assigned intervention, but testers recording fatigue, balance, and performance outcomes will not be informed of group assignment.
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lecturer Of Physical Therapy of Orthopedic, Faculty of Physical Therapy, east London University

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 24, 2026
• First Posted: May 1, 2026
• Study Start: November 7, 2025
• Primary Completion: February 11, 2026
• Study Completion: April 21, 2026
• Last Updated: May 6, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

EG (1)