OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to assess the effectiveness of the 6-week neuromuscular training program among ice hockey players in Hungary.

METHODS: We examined professional ice hockey players in the summer of 2018. The number of the participants in the training group was 20 (22.2±2.3 age) and in the control group was also 20 participants (18.7±1.08 age). Taking samples was quantitative, prospective. The training group carried out 12 neuromuscular trainings along with their pre-season training twice a week (60 minutes). We established the criteria of exclusion in case of acute injury, missing a training twice. Examination methods: 1) examination of lumbar motor control (Stabilizer Pressure Biofeedback) 2) examination of core stability (sport-specific endurance plank test).

RESULTS: The performance of the training group became significantly (p<0.001) better in lumbar motor control (before 20.5±5.1 mmHg - after 13.6±4.3 mmHg). The performance of the control group before the intervention was 23.1±6.2 Hgmm and after training 21.2±5 Hgmm. The training improved (p<0.001) the plank test performance of the training group significantly (achieved level before 5.6 - after 7.8). The plank test performance of the control group got better (achieved level before 4.9 - after 5.8), but not significantly.

CONCLUSIONS: The neuromuscular training had a positive impact on the strength of the core muscles, a significant difference was found between the performances of the two groups. A better sport performance and a decrease in the number of injuries is expected from the improvement of the strength of the core muscles.