Effect of calisthenics training on core stability, muscle strength, static balance and trunk proprioception in adolescent boys

Physical activity decreases at the beginning of adolescence, so organized physical activity at school plays an essential role in promoting the health and proper physical development of students. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of calisthenics training on core stability, muscle strength, static balance and trunk proprioception of male teenagers.

In this semi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design, 40 male high school students aged 15 to 18 in Zavareh city were selected as a sample and randomly divided into two groups: calisthenics training (n=20) and control (n=20). The experimental group received calisthenics training for eight weeks, three times per week, for 60 minutes each session. Before and after the eight-weeks training, static balance, core stability, muscle strength and trunk proprioception were measured using the Stroke balance test, McGill test, chest press, leg press, rowing and error rate of the trunk reconstruction angle at 45° respectively.

The results of the independent t- test showed that eight weeks of calisthenics training increased the amount of static balance (p<0.0001), trunk proprioception (p<0.0001), core stability in trunk flexion (p<0.0001), and muscle strength in the rowing and leg press test (p<0.05) significantly.

Overall, the findings from the present study suggest that following an 8-week participation in calisthenics training, trunk proprioception, core stability in flexion, muscle strength and static balance improved in teenagers, therefore, this type of exercises can be used along with other types of exercises or as a suitable alternative in schools.