The impact of core stability training on jump serve speed in male volleyball players

This study examined the impact of Core Stability Training (CST) on the jump serve speed of elite male volleyball athletes. A total of 20 athletes participated in a 10-week in-tervention, with participants assigned to either the Core Stability Training Group or the Conventional Core Strength Training Group. Core stability metrics, Jump serve arm-swing performance, and jump serve speed were assessed via pre-test, mid-test, and post-test measurements. Results indicated that all measured indicators showed significant improvements in both groups (P < 0.05). However, the Core Stability Training Group demonstrated significantly greater enhancements in side plank endurance, 1-minute sit-up performance, plank hold duration, and Jump serve arm-swing performance (assessed via medicine ball forward throw and badminton long throw) compared to the Conventional Group. Post-test data revealed that the jump serve speed of the Core Stability Training Group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P = 0.037). Correlation analysis confirmed positive associations between core stability, Jump serve arm-swing performance, and serve speed. The findings suggest that Core Stability Training effectively enhances the jump serve speed of male volleyball athletes. The un-derlying mechanism involves improvements in core stability and the efficiency of force transfer along the kinetic chain, which in turn increases the swing speed of the distal limbs.