Is there a relationship between core stability, balance and strength in amputee soccer players? A pilot study.
BACKGROUND
The body is a kinetic chain and all the systems and muscle groups play important roles in this chain. Core stability, strength and balance are important components of performance within many sports, and in particular soccer. However, the relationship between these components is not fully understood.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between core stability, balance and strength in amputee soccer players.


METHODS
Clinical pilot trial.


METHODS
Eleven amputee soccer players (mean age = 24.63 ± 6.48 years) participated in our study. A Kinesthetic Ability Trainer device was used to assess balance. Trunk strength was evaluated by isokinetic dynamometer. Gillet test was used to evaluate the sacroiliac joint movement. Modified plank test was used to determined dynamic core stability. Disability was evaluated using the Oswestry Disability Index.


RESULTS
The results showed that there was a correlation between flexor isokinetic trunk muscle strength at the velocity of 60°/sec and modified plank test (r = 0.630, p = 0.038). There was a negative correlation between flexor isokinetic trunk muscle strength at the velocity of 180°/sec and Oswestry Disability Index score (r = -0.649, p = 0.031).


CONCLUSIONS
Amputee soccer is a sport which is generally performed with one limb balance with crutches. It is therefore perceived that a relationship between balance and sacroiliac mobility, and should be considered for evaluation process and performance analysis in amputee soccer. However, in future studies, we recommend that such evaluations on amputee soccer players should be carried out with increased numbers.
Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey. aytara@baskent.edu.tr
Aydan
A
Aytar
Nihan Ozunlu
NO
Pekyavas
Nevin
N
Ergun
Metin
M
Karatas
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000674:Amputees; D056352:Athletes; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003446:Crutches; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012446:Sacroiliac Joint / Q000502:physiology; D012916:Soccer; D060726:Torso / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult