Effects of core strengthening on balance in university judo athletes

Background: Core strengthening prepares the body in an integral, safe and efficient way, favoring balance and postural control; physical abilities constantly demanded in sports, especially in body contact modalities, such as Judo.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of core strengthening on balance in university judo athletes.

Methods: Eighteen athletes from the University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNISUL) were randomly allocated into two groups: experimental (n = 9) and control (n = 9). Experimental group athletes were submitted to a core strengthening protocol (30-min sessions, twice a week for 5 consecutive weeks). Evaluations consisted of Stabilometic (center of pressure behavior parameters: total area in mm², laterolateral and anteroposterior width in mm) and baropodometric analysis [peak pressure: obtained during a 30-s acquisition period and expressed by foot area, i.e., (a) forefoot (metatarsal heads and toes); and (b) hindfoot (calcaneus region, distal third of the foot)]. Right/left foot ratios were calculated as relative percentages and used for the analysis. The analyzes were performed at baseline and after 5 weeks of core strengthening. The athletes were evaluated in two situations: eyes-open and eyes-closed.

Results: Total right/left foot ratio pressure, right/left fore and hindfoot ratio pressure, as well as anteroposterior width measurements were statistically smaller in the experimental group.

Conclusion: Although the results obtained showed that core strengthening presents certain benefits, these data alone are not enough to confirm its effects upon postural oscillation in university judo athletes.