Impact of Stabilization Exercises on Athletic Performance and Injury Risk in College Volleyball Players

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effects of stabilization exercises on athletic performance and injury risk in volleyball players. Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted at university sport facilities with 23 college volleyball players age 18 to 25 years. Using a stratified randomization method, participants were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 11), which continued their routine training program, or the intervention group (n = 12), which performed additional volleyball-specific stabilization exercises twice per week for 8 weeks. The main outcomes, including injury risk, and athletic performance were assessed using functional movement screening, sit-reach flexibility test, weight-bearing lunge, medicine-ball throw, closed-kinetic-chain upper-extremity stability test, 20-m speed test, serve skill test, vertical jump test, and upper- and lower-extremity dynamic Y-balance test. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in all parameters after the 8-week program, except for the control group’s sit-reach test and asymmetry points (P < .05). When comparing the 2 groups, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvements in functional movement screening score, asymmetry points, medicine-ball throw, closed-kinetic-chain upper-extremity stability test, vertical jump, serve skill, Y-balance test scores for upper and lower extremities, lower-extremity anterior asymmetry score, and right-foot weight-bearing lunge results (P < .05). Conclusions: Stabilization exercises effectively reduce injury risk and enhance athletic performance in volleyball players. Incorporating these exercises into training programs can be a valuable strategy for preventing injuries and improving individual and team success in volleyball. © 2025 Human Kinetics, Inc.