THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A CORE MUSCLES STABILITY PROGRAM IN REDUCING THE POSTURAL SWAY OF ADOLESCENT ARCHERS: A PANACEA FOR A BETTER ARCHERY PERFORMANCE

Pathmanathan K.  Suppiah; Tomny Wong  Kee Kiet; Rabiu Muazu  Musa; Mohamad Razali  Abdullah; Jeffrey Low  Fook Lee; Ahmad Bisyri Husin  Musawi Maliki; Ahmad Bisyri Husin  Musawi Maliki

doi:10.15621/ijphy/2017/v4i5/159425

Authors

Pathmanathan K. Suppiah Faculty of Psychology and Educational Studies, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Malaysia
Tomny Wong Kee Kiet National Sports Institute of Malaysia.
Rabiu Muazu Musa Faculty of Applied Social Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia.
Mohamad Razali Abdullah Faculty of Applied Social Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia.
Jeffrey Low Fook Lee Faculty of Sports Science and Coaching, Sultan Idris Education University, Perak, Malaysia.
Ahmad Bisyri Husin Musawi Maliki Faculty of Applied Social Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia.
Ahmad Bisyri Husin Musawi Maliki Faculty of Applied Social Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia.

Abstract

Background: Expert athletes in archery can rapidly achieve postural stability compared to beginners and novice athletes. This study investigated the effectiveness of a core stability training program in reducing the postural sway among adolescent archers.
Methods: Participants (n=12) of this study were aged between 13-18 years; were divided into two groups (i.e., experimental and control). The experimental group underwent a supplementary eight-week core stability training program apart from their regular training program. Data were collected at three-time points; pre, after four weeks and post-training. Postural sway was measured in the anteroposterior plane and medio-lateral plane – center of pressure (CoP).
Results: Mixed factorial ANOVA yielded significant interactions over time in the performance of the push up; plank; archery performance and postural sway. Postural sway between the experimental and control group was significantly different on both planes at T2; (CoP range x - F(1,10) = 7.952, p <.05, d = 1.302; CoP range y - T2; F(1,10) = 7.887, p<.05). The results were replicated at T3; CoP range x - F(1,10)= 7.952, p <.05; CoP range y - F(1,10)= 11.105, p <.05).
Conclusion: The experimental group showed a smaller range in postural sway on both axes; indicating a reduction in the postural sway. A significant relationship was also evident between CoP range x, CoP range y and the participants’ performance in archery. It is recommended that a core stability training program is incorporated into an archery training program for adolescent archers.