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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07005739

Turkish Folk Dance Exercises in Core Stabilization, Balance, and Agility Training for U14 Football Players

This study aims to examine the effects of integrating Turkish folk dance exercises into the training routines of U14 football players on their kinesthetic sense, balance, agility, core stabilization, and flexibility. The study includes 15 young male football players actively participating in league matches in Istanbul, randomly assigned to either control or intervention groups. The intervention group participates in an additional Turkish folk dance training program for eight weeks alongside their regular football practice, while the control group continues with regular training only. Both groups undergo assessments on agility, flexibility, core stabilization, balance, and kinesthetic sense using standardized field tests. The study seeks to explore whether Turkish folk dance training can provide added value to conventional youth football training programs.

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Key information

Conditions

Physical Performance Enhancement Agility, Balance, and Core Stabilization in Youth Athletes Motor Skills Development

Age range

12 year–14 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Başakşehir Spor Kulübü, Istanbul, Başakşehir, Turkey (Türkiye)

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About this study

This randomized controlled study investigates the potential impact of Turkish folk dance-based exercises on core region stabilization, balance, and agility among U14 male football players in Istanbul. Fifteen participants are divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group participates in an eight-week Turkish folk dance exercise program in addition to their regular football training. Pre- and post-intervention assessments include the Illinois Agility Test, Y-Balance Test, joint position sense measurements, flexibility assessments, and the Core Stabilization Test (CST). Statistical analysis methods planned for evaluating the outcomes include normality analysis, independent samples t-tests for group comparisons, and paired samples t-tests for within-group differences, with a significance level set at p<0.05. The study aims to assess whether incorporating Turkish folk dance movements into youth football training programs may contribute to improvements in motor skills relevant to athletic performance and injury prevention.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Male football players actively participating in the U14 league in Istanbul.
  • Age between 12 and 14 years.
  • Actively training and participating in official football matches.
  • Voluntary participation with parental/guardian consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • Presence of musculoskeletal, neurological, or chronic health conditions that would prevent participation.
  • History of injury or surgery affecting balance or mobility within the last 6 -months.
  • Participation in other structured exercise or dance programs outside of football training.
  • Non-compliance with the training or assessment schedule.

Treatment and study plan

Turkish Folk Dance-Based Exercise Program

Behavioral

Participants in the intervention group received a structured Turkish folk dance-based exercise program in addition to their regular football training. The dance-based intervention consisted of two 45-minute sessions per week for 8 weeks, including traditional Turkish folk dance movements aimed at improving balance, agility, and core stability.

Primary outcomes

  1. Agility Performance

    Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (8 weeks)

    Change in agility measured by the Illinois Agility Test, assessed before and after the 8-week intervention period.

  2. Balance Performance

    Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (8 weeks)

    Change in dynamic balance measured by the Y-Balance Test, assessed before and after the 8-week intervention period.

  3. Core Stabilization

    Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (8 weeks)

    Change in core stabilization measured by the Core Stabilization Test (CST), assessed before and after the 8-week intervention period.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Flexibility

    Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (8 weeks)

    Change in flexibility assessed by the Passive Straight Leg Raise Test, before and after the intervention.

  2. Kinesthetic Sense / Joint Position Sense

    Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention (8 weeks)

    Change in kinesthetic sense measured by Joint Position Sense (JPS) testing, before and after the intervention.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Marmara University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effectiveness of Turkish Folk Dance Exercises on Core Stabilization, Balance, and Agility in U14 Football Players

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2023
First posted
Jun 5, 2025
Registry last updated
Jun 11, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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