Impact of Stabilization Exercises on Athletic Performance and Injury Risk in College Volleyball Players.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to determine the effects of stabilization exercises on athletic performance and injury risk in volleyball players.

METHODS

A randomized clinical trial was conducted at university sport facilities with 23 college volleyball players age 18 to 25 years. Using a stratified randomization method, participants were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 11), which continued their routine training program, or the intervention group (n = 12), which performed additional volleyball-specific stabilization exercises twice per week for 8 weeks. The main outcomes, including injury risk, and athletic performance were assessed using functional movement screening, sit-reach flexibility test, weight-bearing lunge, medicine-ball throw, closed-kinetic-chain upper-extremity stability test, 20-m speed test, serve skill test, vertical jump test, and upper- and lower-extremity dynamic Y-balance test.

RESULTS

Both groups showed significant improvements in all parameters after the 8-week program, except for the control group's sit-reach test and asymmetry points (P < .05). When comparing the 2 groups, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvements in functional movement screening score, asymmetry points, medicine-ball throw, closed-kinetic-chain upper-extremity stability test, vertical jump, serve skill, Y-balance test scores for upper and lower extremities, lower-extremity anterior asymmetry score, and right-foot weight-bearing lunge results (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Stabilization exercises effectively reduce injury risk and enhance athletic performance in volleyball players. Incorporating these exercises into training programs can be a valuable strategy for preventing injuries and improving individual and team success in volleyball.