OBJECTIVES: Our objective was the application of core stability training among professional ice hockey players and the examination of its efficiency.

METHODS: We examined ice hockey players (aged 18-28). 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 not done randomly, it was quantitative, prospective. The training group carried out 16 core stability trainings along with their pre-season training twice a week (40 minute). We established the criteria of exclusion in case of acute injury, missing a training twice. Examination methods: 1) examination of stability and dinamic balance (Star Excursion Balance Test in lower limb, Y balance test in upper limb), 2) examination of core stability (plank test), 3) examination of lumbar motor control (Biofeedback Stabilizer). We used SPSS 20.0 version. To reveal coherency in data we carried out Paired Sample T-test/Wilcoxon test, Independent-samples T-test/Mann-Whitney test and Khi-square technique. The significance level was set at p< 0,05.

RESULTS: The performance of the training group became significantly better in the case of the lower left limb (p<0.05). Regarding the Y-balance test apart from the inferolateral (p=0.356) and superolateral (p=0.063) direction of the upper left limb there was a significant difference on behalf of the training group (p<0.05). The training improved the plank test performance of the training group (p< 0.001) and the lumbar motor control too (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: The training had a positive impact on the strength of the core muscles, a significant difference was found between the performances of the 2 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.