The Impact of Core Stability Training on Neuromuscular Performance Among Young Soccer Players: A Randomized Interventional Trial

(1) Soccer is the world’s most popular sport, with over 265 million players worldwide. The core muscles play a crucial role in supporting the body’s upper and lower limbs, and training to strengthen these muscles has been shown to improve athletic performance. In 11- to 15-year-old soccer players, core training can be effectively integrated into exercises that resist body weight, improving stability and agility. (2) Our study examines the impact of core muscle training on stability and agility in this age group. (3) 22 male soccer players in an amateur league at the age of 13 ± 1.01 years, height 1.47 ± 0.06 m, weight 60.06 ± 7.44 kg were enrolled. Participants were divided into two groups: experiment (core and ball movement training) and control (ball movement training). The intervention period lasted 12 weeks and included two 15–20 min-long training sessions weekly. Pre- and post-intervention tests were conducted, including tests for agility, stability, ball kick accuracy, speed, and distance jumping. (4) Core training significantly and clearly improved agility, accuracy in ball kicking, and balance with both legs towards the back. Based on these results, and considering that no special equipment is required, we recommend the inclusion of core training in young footballers’ training routine.