The effect of eight weeks of central stability training on upper and lower limb muscle function and functional basketball screening test score of male basketball players

Strengthening the muscles of the central area of the body to increase core stability is considered a part of the training program of athletes. The purpose of this research was the relationship between core stability exercises with upper and lower limb muscle function and also to improve the functional movement screening (FMS) score.

This research is of practical and semi-experimental type, which is available on 30 male basketball athletes with an average age of 19/55±1/3 and an average weight of 69/48±7/1 into two control (15) and experimental (15) groups were divided. To strengthen the central muscles, the subjects were given 4 specific exercises for upper and lower limb muscles (side plank, deep squat, sit up) before and after the test. To measure the score of the functional movement screening test, the FMS seven-step test was used, that is, all people participated individually in the seven test steps in both the pre-test and the post-test. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 18 software. A significant level was considered in this study (P₌0.05).

The changes in the screening test between the groups (control and experimental) (P<0.05) and also the changes in the squat test (p=0.000), swimming (p=0.011), and barfix (p=0.003) had significant differences.

Eight weeks of central stability exercises affected the improvement in the performance of upper and lower limb muscles, and the score of the screening test in male basketball players increased. It is suggested that coaches use this test in other sports as well.