The influence of segmental stabilization training upon the reduction of motor system weak connections in hockey players

AIM: Two hypothesis were lunched: 1) three month segmental stabilization training (TSS) has the influence on reducing the number of weak connections in biokinematics chain in hockey players; 2) three month training has influence on reducing the pain perception in low back of a spine (LBP) in players. This work has been undertaken to estimate the usefulness of the low Performance Matrix threshold tests.Furthermore, the correlationbetween segmental stabilization training and the number of weak connections in biokinematics chain in hockey players has been tested. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 12 players-hockey champions of Poland and vice-champions of Europe took part in the conducted research. An average age of a group is 30 +/- 5.03 years, an average training period 20.83 +/- 5.65 months. The low Performance Matrix threshold tests were used for weak connection assessment. Through analysis and identification of a performed motion the weakest connections of biokinematics chain have been found. The test were undertaken at the beginning of the research and it was repeated after 3 month. The players were advised to continue the segmental stabilization training for 3 months. Assessment of Low Back Pain (LBP) was undertaken by using the numerical scale. LBP was tested at the beginning of the project and after 3 months. The results were tested by using statistic analysis. RESULTS: For obtained weak links based statistical characteristics were gained before and after the TSS training. Two hypothesis have been tested: the first is about variance equality, the second has been settled to confirm that weak links before TSS training have the bigger values than weak links after TSS training. Next the correlation between weak connections before TSS training and after TSS training was determined. Variance analysis was done for regression. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Three month segmental stabilization training (TSS) has the influence on reducing the number weak connections in biokinematics chain in hockey players. 2) Three month training has influence on reducing the pain perception in lower back of a spine (LBP) in players. 3) Performance Matrix low threshold tests have occurred to be a diagnostic tool due to which the quality of motor control can be assessed successfully in hockey players. 4) The correlation between segmental stabilization training and reducing of motor system's weak connection was found for hockey players.