Date of Graduation

2005

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

Committee Chair

Michelle A. Sandrey

Committee Chair

Michelle A. Sandrey

Abstract

There is a lack of studies in the literature pertaining to tennis athletes, core stabilization and dynamic balance. Core stabilization and dynamic balance are important components to the sport of tennis. The purpose of this study was to assess the outcome of a five-week core stabilizationtraining program on dynamic balance. The study was a 2x2 factorial design with an experimental and control group. This study included 13 healthy physically active collegiate level tennis athletes and 15 subjects in the control group of aged matched activity cohorts.The five-week protocol for the core stabilization-training program was conducted as follows: subjects followed the program 3 times a week for an average of 30-minute sessions. There were 3 progressive levels of exercises focusing on strengthening the core while maintaining neuromuscular control. All subjects chosen for the study completed a pre and post-test measurement of their dynamic balance using the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). The test was conducted one week prior to and following the five-week exercise protocol. No significant difference was found for pre-test results for all excursions. A significant difference for time was found for pre-test and post-test within subjects for all eight excursions (anterior, anteromedial, medial, posteromedial, posterior, posterolateral, lateral, anterolateral). There were no significant main effects for Group or interaction between Time and Group. In conclusion, Core stabilization-training may be used to enhance dynamic balance in tennis athletes.

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