Comparison of the “core stability” tests results among elite athletes

Abstract

Objective: to compare the results of endurance, strength and functional status of spine stabilisers muscles (core stability) obtained by testing national teams athletes of different sports.Materials and methods: 71 male athletes (judokas, boxers, cyclists and wrestlers) aged 18–25 years participated in this study. Athletes were asked to perform «Motor Control test» in static and dynamic mode and three trial attempts were given to be familiar with test.Results: cyclists were found to have the highest overall scores in both static and dynamic modes, but the results for different spatial parameters differ. Statistically significant differences were found when comparing the following core stability indicators: «Forward (static mode)», «Back (dynamic mode)», «Left (static mode)», «Forward-left (static mode), «Forward-right (dynamic mode)», «Back-left (static mode)», «Back-left (dynamic mode)», «Back-right (dynamic mode)».Conclusion. The cycling requires more core stability than boxing, wrestling and judo, but further investigations and larger samples of athletes are needed.