Effects of Core Stability Training on Functional Movement Patterns in Tennis Players.

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Fundamental movement patterns are crucial for athletic performance in tennis.
• Core stability is essential for efficient force transfer and injury prevention in athletes.
• The Functional Movement Screen Test (FMS™) is a validated tool for assessing movement quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a six-week core stability training program on the Functional Movement Screen Test (FMS™) scores in adult tennis players.
• To assess changes in core stability endurance following a targeted training intervention.
• To explore the potential relationship between improved movement patterns and reduced injury risk in tennis.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 160 adult tennis players (74 female, 86 male) participated in the study.
• Participants underwent a six-week core stability training program.
• Functional Movement Screen Test (FMS™) and specific core stability endurance tests (lateral trunk, abdominal, and trunk extensor tests) were administered pre- and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in total FMS™ scores for both female (14.58 ± 2.91 to 17.20 ± 1.68, p < 0.001) and male (14.44 ± 2.76 to 16.91 ± 1.36, p < 0.001) tennis players post-training.
• Core stability endurance tests also demonstrated statistically significant improvements after the intervention.
• The data indicate a positive effect of core strengthening on fundamental movement quality.

Conclusions:

• A six-week core stability training program effectively enhances fundamental movement patterns in adult tennis players.
• Improvements in FMS™ scores suggest better movement quality and potentially a reduced risk of injury.
• Targeted core strengthening interventions are recommended for tennis players to optimize performance and mitigate injury potential.