- The Effect of Core Stability Training on Improving Lower Limb Muscle Stability and Flexibility During Knee Injury Recovery

Abstract

Study purpose. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of Core Stability Training (CST) on improving leg muscle stabilization and flexibility in the recovery of knee injuries among athletes.

Materials and methods. The participants of this study consisted of 18 male athletes from 4 sports (badminton, running, football, basketball) in Bandung with ACL/PCL knee injuries (injury age: 6 months), divided into 2 groups via random assignment, using true experimental with pre-test post-test control group design with 12 sessions of CST for the experimental group versus control training for the control group. The treatment was conducted over 12 sessions. Data collection was carried out by administering a pre-test and post-test using the single leg squat test to measure leg muscle stabilization and a goniometer to measure knee joing range of motion (ROM). Data were analyzed using the t-test for normally distributed data (ROM) and the non-parametric Wilcoxon test fpr non-normally distributed data (single leg squat), with normality tested using the Saphiro-Wilk test. Statistical significance was set as p < 0.05.

Results. For leg muscle stabilization, CST group improved by 97.22% vs. control group by 46.67% (p=0.000), indicating a significant difference between group, and for flexibility, CST group improved by 36.22% (from 81.11° to 127.11° vs. control group by 27.37% (from 82.22° to 113.11°) (p=0.000), indicating a significant difference between groups.

Conclusions. The Core Stability Training method has a significant effect on improving leg muscle stabilization and knee joint flexibility during the recovery of a knee injury.