Relationship between core stability and the risk of different lower extremity injuries inathletes / Nabil Abdo Abdellah Mohammed ; Supervised Alaa Eldin Abdelhakem Balbaa , Amira Abdallah Abdelmegeid Abdallah , Ahmed Hazem Abdelazeem

Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background: Prevention of lower extremity injuries in soccer players became an interesting issue in sports medicine. Poor core endurance and hip muscles' weakness contribute to lower extremity injuries in soccer players. Purpose: This study investigated the relationship between core muscles{u2019} endurance and hip abductors{u00B4} and external rotators{u00B4} strengths and the frequency of different lower extremity injuries among soccer players during one season. The second purpose was to investigate the relationship between core muscles{u2019} endurance and the risk of different lower extremity injuries. Methods: Eighty-three male soccer players (mean age 20.69±3.85 years, weight 76.3±14 kg and height 178±9.6 cm) were tested. The core endurance was tested by the prone bridge, lateral bridge, trunk flexors and extensors endurance tests. The peak eccentric isokinetic hip abductors{u2019} and external rotators{u2019} torques were tested by Isokinetic dynamometer. Finally, the frequency of lower extremity injury was recorded during one season. Results: The Negative Binominal regression revealed that the maximum hold time for the trunk flexors' endurance and the peak eccentric isokinetic hip abductors' torques were significantly related to the frequency of lower extremity injury (p<0.05). The core endurance hold time of the four tests was related to an increased risk of lower extremity injury. Conclusion: Trunk flexors{u00B4} endurance and hip abductors{u00B4} strength deficits are associated with increased frequency of lower extremity injury. Poor core endurance is associated with increased risk of lower extremity injury

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