Standing Versus Floor-Based Trunk Stability Training: Effects on Landing and Cutting Movement Quality in Youth Male Football Players

This study compared the effects of a 5-week standing single-leg trunk-stability programme, a conventional floor-based trunk-stability programme, and active general conditioning on landing and cutting movement quality in early-adolescent male football players. Thirty-one players were randomised to standing single-leg (n = 11), floor-based (n = 12), or active control (n = 8) training. Participants completed two supervised 15-min sessions per week. Co-primary outcomes were the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) and bilateral mean Cutting Movement Assessment Score (CMAS); secondary outcomes were change-of-direction (COD) time and accelerometer-derived lumbopelvic stability. Baseline-adjusted ANCOVA showed significant group effects for LESS (F(2,27) = 17.02, p < 0.001, ηp² = 0.53) and CMAS (F(2,26) = 10.45, p < 0.001, ηp² = 0.45). The standing single-leg group had lower adjusted LESS and CMAS scores than both comparison groups. No clear between-group differences were observed for COD time or lumbopelvic acceleration. These findings suggest that brief standing single-leg trunk-stability training may improve observable landing and cutting movement quality, although the small sample and unblinded outcome assessment warrant cautious interpretation.