Evaluation of the Effect of Training on Unstable Ground on Dynamic Stability in Soccer Players Using the Y-Balance Test

Background
The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of training on unstable ground on dynamic stability as measured by the Y-Balance Test (YBT).

Material and methods
The study was conducted on 16-year-old football players from the ‘Zagłębie Sosnowiec’ club in Poland. The YBT, which is a dynamic test that assesses strength, flexibility and coordination, was used as a research tool. For this purpose, a ‘Y’ shape was drawn on flat ground, and each component line was given a separate name: anterior (A), posterolateral (PL) and posteromedial (PM). The training on unstable ground lasted 6 weeks. Each study group performed 2 training sessions just before the regular football training at the club. The control group received only football training conducted by the club coaches. Throughout this period, 12 central stabilization training sessions were conducted for the study group.

Results
At the completion of the project, significant progress was observed in the YBT for the study group compared to the control group. In the A reach direction for the left lower limb, a statistically significant improvement was documented in the study group in the second test (p<0.05). In the PM direction, the second test also revealed a statistically significant improvement for the study group (p<0.05). Finally, the PL distance reached by the study group in the second test showed a statistically significant increase compared to the previous test for both the right and left lower limbs (p<0.05).

Conclusions
Core stability training on unstable ground improves performance in the YBT for the right lower limb in the PM and PL directions and for the left lower limb in the A, PM and PL reach directions. In both the study and control groups, there were no significant differences (asymmetries) in the A reach direction nor in the composite score between the right and left lower limbs.