Research summary · Training and performance
Core training and physical performance in team sports
A review of 22 controlled studies involving 588 athletes compares core training with non-core training controls.
- Publication year
- 2026
- Publication type
- Systematic review and meta-analysis
- Journal
- BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Population / context
- Team sports
What the publication reports
Pooled results favoured core training for balance, jumping, sprint time and change-of-direction tests. Balance showed the largest effect among the outcomes studied. The review assessed trial quality and evidence certainty separately.
Limits and interpretation
Evidence certainty was low to very low. Better test performance does not by itself demonstrate improved match results or fewer injuries.
Read the source
Consult the original record for the full author list, methods, references, funding and competing-interest disclosures.
Original publication / indexed recordDOI: 10.1186/s13102-026-01807-5Reader discussion
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