Investigation of Eight Weeks of Core Stability Exercises on Upper Extremity’s Range of Motion, Balance, and Strength of the Badminton Players

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of core stability exercises on upper limb performance based on Y balance test, strength and range of motion of shoulder rotation in badminton athletes. 30 male badminton players were randomly assigned to two control (n=15) and experimental (n=15) groups. The experimental group performed the core stability training program for eight weeks, three sessions a week for 40 minutes, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Measurement of upper limb function was done by Y balance test, and also shoulder strength and internal and external rotation range of motion were measured by handheld dynamometer and goniometer respectively, before and after the intervention. The analysis of the data obtained from the research based on the ANCOVA statistical test showed that there is a significant difference in the average of the Y upper limb balance test between the two control and experimental groups in both dominant and non-dominant hands. which indicates the positive effect of core stability exercises on people's performance in performing the Y balance test (p<0.05); however, no statistical difference was observed in muscle strength and range of motion of external and internal rotation of the shoulder after the intervention. (p < 0.05). It seems that the provision of core stability training programs can be considered with the approach of increasing the performance of the upper limbs and, of course, preventing injuries in badminton players.