Importance of Core Development for Soccer Players
by Agustin Garcia Jr., and Jeffrey Hartman, PhD, CSCS, NSCA-CPT
NSCA Coach
May 2025
Vol 11, Issue 4
The purpose of this article is to examine the critical role of core stability in soccer performance.
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This article originally appeared in NSCA Coach, a quarterly publication for NSCA Members that provides valuable takeaways for every level of strength and conditioning coach. You can find scientifically based articles specific to a wide variety of your athletes’ needs with Nutrition, Programming, and Youth columns. Read more articles from NSCA Coach »
REFERENCES
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- Aslan, T, and Kahraman, MZ. The effect of core exercise program on vertical jump, speed, agility and strength parameters in junior male soccer players. Revista De Gestão e Secretariado 14(10): 18493-18511, 2023.
- Behm, DG, Drinkwater, EJ, Willardson, JM, and Cowley, PM. The use of instability to train the core musculature. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism 35(1): 91-108, 2010.
- Butowicz, CM, Ebaugh, D, Noehren, B, and Silfies, S. Validation of two clinical measures of core stability. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy 11(1): 15-23, 2016.
- Cook, G, Burton, L, and Hoogenboom, B. Pre-participation screening: The use of fundamental movements as an assessment of function - Part 1. North American Journal of Sports Physical Therapy 1(2): 62-72, 2006.
- Hrysomallis, C. Balance ability and athletic performance. Sports Medicine 41(3): 221-232, 2012.
- Kibler, WB, Press, J, and Sciascia, A. The role of core stability in athletic function. Sports Medicine 36(3): 189-198, 2006.
- Lehnert, M, Psotta, R, Chvojka, P, and De Ste Croix, M. Core muscle function during specific strength-training exercises. Journal of Human Kinetics 37(1): 23-32, 2013.
- McGill, SM, Juker, D, and Kropf, P. Quantitative intramuscular myoelectric activity of quadratus lumborum during a wide variety of tasks. Clinical Biomechanics 16(9): 929-938, 2001.
- McGill, SM, and Childs, SL. Low back exercises: Evidence for improving exercise regimens. Physical Therapy78(7): 754-765, 1998.
- Nuhmani, S. Correlation between core stability and upper-extremity performance in male collegiate athletes. Medicina 58(8): 982, 2022.
- Prieske, O, Muehlbauer, T, Borde, R, Gube, M, Bruhn, S, Behm, DG, and Granacher, U. Neuromuscular and athletic performance following core strength training in elite youth soccer: Role of instability. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports 26(1): 48-56, 2015.
- Reilly, T, Bangsbo, J, and Franks, A. Anthropometric and physiological predispositions for elite soccer. Journal of Sports Sciences 18(9): 669-683, 2000.
- Simic, L, Sarabon, N, and Markovic, G. Does pre-exercise static stretching inhibit maximal muscular performance? A meta-analytical review. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports 23(2): 131-148, 2013.
- Weber, TA, Duchene, Y, Simon, FR, Mornieux, G, and Gauchard, GC. Evolution of core stability, athletic performance, and ACL injury risk across a soccer season. Applied Sciences 14(10): 4116, 2024.
- Willson, JD, Dougherty, CP, Ireland, ML, and Davis, IM. Core stability and its relationship to lower extremity function and injury. The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons13(5): 316-325, 2005.
- Zazulak, BT, Hewett, TE, Reeves, NP, Goldberg, B, and Cholewicki, J. The effects of core proprioception on knee injury: A prospective biomechanical-epidemiological study. The American Journal of Sports Medicine 35(3): 368-373, 2007.
- Zemková, E, and Zapletalová, L. The role of neuromuscular control of postural and core stability in functional movement and athlete performance. Frontiers in Physiology 13: 796097, 2022.
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Audience:
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Keywords:
Injury Risk Agility Balance Training Modalities Functional Movement Soccer Performance Isometric Exercise Abdominal core
Injury Risk Agility Balance Training Modalities Functional Movement Soccer Performance Isometric Exercise Abdominal core
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