The Relationship between Trunk Function and Injury among Junior High School Soccer Players

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics
• Pediatric Sports Science

Background:

• Trunk stability is crucial for athletic performance and injury prevention in young athletes.
• Soccer involves dynamic movements requiring robust core strength and stability.
• Previous research has explored core strength but less so the specific relationship between trunk stability and injury in adolescent soccer players.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between trunk stability and the incidence of injuries in male junior high school soccer players.
• To determine if specific trunk stability tests can differentiate between injured and non-injured young soccer players.

Main Methods:

• Nineteen male junior high school soccer players were assessed.
• Trunk stability was evaluated using modified bench and sideways bench tests from "The 11+" exercise program.
• Injury status was recorded for each participant.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in bench or sideways bench test endurance times were found between the injured and non-injured groups.
• The non-injury group showed no significant difference in endurance between left and right sideways bench tests.
• The injury group demonstrated significantly longer endurance times on the left sideways bench test compared to the right, indicating asymmetric trunk stability.

Conclusions:

• Asymmetric trunk stability is potentially related to injury occurrence in young soccer players.
• The findings suggest that imbalances in core stability may predispose athletes to injury.
• Further research is recommended to explore the link between asymmetric trunk function, balance, and injury risk in this population.