Effects of core stability training on physical performance in soccer players: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Soccer players must maintain optimal levels of physical performance, and to achieve this goal, various training strategies are implemented. However, previous studies concerning the impact of core stability training on the physical performance of soccer players have yielded contradictory results.

To determine the effects of core stability training on the physical performance of soccer players.

Systematic search of controlled trials until November 2024 in PubMed, Bireme, Scopus and WOS, following the guidelines of the Cochrane handbook and the PRISMA checklist. Two reviewers independently selected studies, with disagreement resolution by a third. The ROB2 tool was used to assess risk of bias, and publication bias was addressed using funnel plots and Egger regression. On the other hand, quality was assessed with checklists (SIGN/CONSORT). Data were analyzed in RevMan-Web using fixed effects meta-analysis, assessing heterogeneity with I², Chi² and Galbraith plots. Finally, the certainty of the evidence was determined with the GRADE approach.

From 2984 records, 37 studies with 1174 soccer players (9-30 years) were selected. Core stability training improved vertical jump by 1.66 cm (95 % CI: 0.53, 2.79), and also improved agility tests such as the t-drill (-0.71 s [95 % CI: -1.27, -0.14]) and Illinois (-0.56 s [95 % CI: -1.05, -0.06]). No significant improvements were observed in the 30-m sprint (-0.04 s [95 % CI: -0.14, 0.06]) or 20-m sprint (-0.05 s [95 % CI: -0.11, 0.01]).

Sports scientists can implement core stability training to optimize physical performance in terms of jumping and agility in soccer players, but not to increase their speed.

CRD42023461634.