The Effect of Spinal Stabilisation Exercises on the Static and Dynamic Balance of Young Basketball Players
Abstract
Background: This study addresses the need to better understand the effects of spinal stabilisation on movement biomechanics and injury prevention in young basketball players. Such knowledge may support the development of more effective training programmes aimed at improving performance and reducing injury risk.
Methods: The study involved 30 subjects who play basketball four times a week, all of whom were born in the same year and belong to the U15 age group. The subjects were divided into two groups: experimental (n = 18) and control (n = 12). The assessment was carried out twice, before and after a four-week core stabilisation exercise programme. Static balance was assessed using a one-leg standing test with eyes closed. Dynamic balance was assessed using the Y-Balance Test.
Results: After four weeks of the exercise programme, the experimental group’s static balance improved significantly (p < 0.05). The dynamic balance results of the experimental group, assessed by the distance pushed away in cm and the composite score % for each direction, improved (p < 0.05) in all three directions for the left leg and in the posterolateral and posteromedial directions for the right leg. In the control group, improvement (p < 0.05) was observed in the posterolateral direction with the left leg and in the posteromedial direction with the right leg. When evaluating the composite score, the results improved (p < 0.05) in both groups.
Conclusion: Spinal stabilisation exercises can effectively improve both static and dynamic balance in young basketball players, indicating their potential value for performance enhancement and injury prevention.
Keywords: Core stability, postural control, youth athletes
References
Ahsan, M., Alzaharani, A., Aljohany, M., Moosa, S. S., & Nawab, F. (2024). The Star Excursion Balance Test: A predictor of lower-extremity injury risk and a measure of an athlete’s readiness to return to play. Tujin Jishu/Journal of Propulsion Technology, 45(4), 2208–2216.
Alshehre, Y. M., Alkhathami, K., Brizzolara, K., Weber, M., & Wang-Price, S. (2023). Effectiveness of spinal stabilization exercises on dynamic balance in adults with chronic low back pain. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 18(1), 173–187. https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.68075
Bagherian, S., Ghasempoor, K., Rahnama, N., & Wikstrom, E. A. (2019). The effect of core stability training on functional movement patterns in college athletes. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 28(5), 444–449. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2017-0107
Barrio, E. D., Ramirez-Campillo, R., Garcia de Alcaraz Serrano, A., & Hernandez-García, R. (2022). Effects of core training on dynamic balance stability: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Sports Sciences, 40(16), 1815–1823. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2022.2110203
Bertrand-Charette, M., Roy, J. S., & Bouyer, L. J. (2023). Effect of acute ankle experimental pain on lower limb motor control assessed by the modified star excursion balance test. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 5, 1082240. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2023.1082240
Blodgett, J. M., Hardy, R., Davis, D. H. J., Peeters, G., Hamer, M., Kuh, D., & Cooper, R. (2023). Prognostic accuracy of the one-legged balance test in predicting falls: 15-years of midlife follow-up in a British birth cohort study. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 4, 1066913. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2022.1066913
Chaari, F., Alkhelaifi, K., Rahmani, A., Peyrot, N., Boughattas, W., Hadadi, A., Rebai, H., Boyas, S., & Sahli, S. (2025). Acute effect of core stability exercises on static and dynamic postural balance in soccer players with groin pain. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 9086. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94368-5
Chaari, F., Boyas, S., Sahli, S., Fendri, T., Harrabi, M. A., Rebai, H., & Rahmani, A. (2022). Postural balance asymmetry and subsequent noncontact lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries among Tunisian soccer players with groin pain: A prospective case control study. Gait & Posture, 98, 134–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2022.09.004
Cinarli, F. S., Adanur, O., Esen, O., Barasinska, M., Cepicka, L., Gabrys, T., & Karayigit, R. (2022). Relationship between unilateral leg extension strength and dynamic balance in healthy young men. Applied Sciences, 12(18), 8985. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12188985
Emery, C. A., Owoeye, O. B. A., Räisänen, A. M., Befus, K., Hubkarao, T., Palacios-Derflingher, L., & Pasanen, K. (2022). The “SHRed Injuries Basketball” neuromuscular warm-up program reduces ankle and knee injury rates by 36% in youth basketball. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 52(1), 40–48. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2022.10959
Feng, W., Wang, F., Han, Y., & Li, G. (2024). The effect of 12-week core strength training on dynamic balance, agility, and dribbling skill in adolescent basketball players. Heliyon, 10(6), e27544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27544 (Retraction published 2025, Heliyon, 11[12], e43582, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e43582)
Gao, J., Fu, X., Xu, H., Guo, Q., & Wang, X. (2025). The effect of instability resistance training on balance ability among athletes: A systematic review. Frontiers in Physiology, 15, 1434918. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2024.1434918
García, F., Vázquez-Guerrero, J., Castellano, J., Casals, M., & Schelling, X. (2020). Differences in physical demands between game quarters and playing positions in professional basketball players. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 19(2), 256–263.
Gomes, S. K. S. P., Moreira, P. F., Veras, P. M., Catharino, L. L., Caetano, R. O., Oliveira, T. M. D., Fonseca, D. S., Hespanhol, L., & Felício, D. C. (2024). What is the influence of biomechanical variables on Y-Balance Test performance in recreational runners? Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 38, 520–524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.03.062
Gong, J., Gao, H., Sui, J., & Qi, F. (2024). The effect of core stability training on the balance ability of young male basketball players. Frontiers in Physiology, 14, 1305651. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1305651
Huang, H., Xie, H., Zhang, G., Xiao, W., Ge, L., Chen, S., Zeng, Y., Wang, C., & Li, H. (2025). Effects of dynamic neuromuscular stabilization training on the core muscle contractility and standing postural control in patients with chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 26(1), 213. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08417-1
Luo, S., Soh, K. G., Zhao, Y., Soh, K. L., Sun, H., Nasiruddin, N. J. M., Zhai, X., & Ma, L. (2023). Effect of core training on athletic and skill performance of basketball players: A systematic review. PLoS ONE, 18(6), e0287379. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0287379
Lutz, D., van den Berg, C., Räisänen, A. M., Shill, I. J., Kim, J., Vaandering, K., Hayden, A., Pasanen, K., Schneider, K. J., Emery, C. A., & Owoeye, O. B. A. (2024). Best practices for the dissemination and implementation of neuromuscular training injury prevention warm-ups in youth team sport: A systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 58(11), 615–625. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2023-106906
McGinley, J. J., Randoing, B., Saleem, L., Podvin, C., Ellis, H. B., Wilson, P. L., & Ulman, S. (2024). Lower-Quarter Y-Balance Test differs by age: Younger athletes may not be generalized to high-school-aged counterparts. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 19(8), 989–996. https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.120898
Park, H.-S., Oh, J.-K., Hong, Y.-I., Kim, J.-Y., & Yoon, J.-H. (2025). Effect of hop-stabilization training on ankle instability and function of adolescent female basketball players with chronic ankle instability: A double-blind, prospective, cluster-randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(10), 3502. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14103502
Springer, B. A., Marin, R., Cyhan, T., Roberts, H., & Gill, N. W. (2007). Normative values for the unipedal stance test with eyes open and closed. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, 30(1), 8–15. https://doi.org/10.1519/00139143-200704000-00003
Stiffler, M. R., Bell, D. R., Sanfilippo, J. L., Hetzel, S. J., Pickett, K. A., & Heiderscheit, B. C. (2017). Star Excursion Balance Test anterior asymmetry is associated with injury status in Division I collegiate athletes. The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 47(5), 339–346. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2017.6974
Wang, Z., Chen, N., Cao, S., Gao, L., Geok, S. K., & Liu, J. (2025). The effects of balance training on physical fitness and skill-related performance in basketball players: A systematic review. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 17(1), 108. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-025-01164-9
Wik E. H. (2022). Growth, maturation and injuries in high-level youth football (soccer): A mini review. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 4, 975900. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2022.975900
Yılmaz, O., Soylu, Y., Erkmen, N., Kaplan, T., & Batalik, L. (2024). Effects of proprioceptive training on sports performance: A systematic review. BMC Sports Science, Medicine & Rehabilitation, 16(1), 149. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-024-00936-z
Zając, B., Olszewski, M., & Mika, A. (2024). Influence of protocol variables on outcomes of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT, mSEBT, YBT-LQ) in healthy individuals: A systematic review. Frontiers in Physiology, 15, 1415887. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2024.1415887
Zhang, Z., Xu, D., Wang, M., Zhou, H., Liang, M., Baker, J. S., & Gu, Y. (2025). The effect of restricted ankle dorsiflexion on knee injury risk during landing. Acta of Bioengineering and Biomechanics, 27(1), 93–109. https://doi.org/10.37190/abb-02563-2024-03
Zhou, J., Zhong, Y., & Xu, W. (2024). Effects of core stability exercises on balance ability of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE, 19(12), e0314664. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0314664
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s). Published by Lithuanian Sports University.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
