Abstract
Objective: To determine the efficacy of a five-week core stability training program for collegiate athletes on upper extremity performance measures.Methods: Seventy healthy collegiate athletes (age 21.6 +/-;1.7years; height 175 +/- 4.63 cm; body mass 65.31 +/-;5.63 kg) were randomly allocated to experimental (n=35) and control group (n=35). The experimental group has undergone a five-week core stabilisation protocol (three days /week) and regular training, whereas the control group maintained their regular training. The upper quarter Y balance test (UQ-YBT) and Functional throwing performance index (FTPI) were assessed pre and post-training. Results: The results of mixed ANOVA show that there was significant interaction between time and group variables on YBT (p < 0.001, eta(2)(p)=0.759) and FTPI (p < 0.001, eta(2)(p)=0.411) after five weeks of core stability training. Statistically, significant improvement was shown in YBT (mean change=15.2, p < 0.001) and FTPI (mean change=14.4, p < 0.001) in the experimental group; however, there was no significant change observed in both outcomes in the control groups.Conclusion: After five weeks of core stabilisation training program, the measures of UQ-YBT and FTPI were improved, thus advocating the use of a core stabilisation training program among collegiate athletes to enhance their upper extremity performance.