Riassunto dello studio

Twenty-five healthy female professional soccer players were randomized to receive 8 weeks of abdominal exercise training plus gluteus medius specific training (n=13) or 8 weeks of abdominal exercise training only (n=12) for the improvement of lumbo-pelvic stability and adductor muscle strength. The outcomes of interest included lumbo-pelvic stability measured via a dynamic neuromuscular stabilization heel sliding test, and adductor muscle strength of the left and right legs measured with a dynamometer. Outcomes were assessed upon completion of the 8 week treatment program and 4 weeks post-intervention. Results revealed statistically significant improvements from baseline in lumbo-pelvic stability at both time points in the control group (p<0.05 for both). However, no statistical significant improvement in lumbo-pelvic stability was observed at either timepoint in the gluteus medius group (p>0.05 for both). For left leg adductor strength, both groups reported a statistically significant improvement from baseline at both timepoints (p<0.05 for all). For right leg adductor strength, both groups reported a statistically significant improvement from baseline immediately after intervention (p<0.05 for both); however, at 4 weeks follow up a statistically significant improvement was observed in the control group only (p<0.05).