TR
EN
THE EFFECT OF FUNCTIONAL TRAINING ON SPEED, BALANCE, AND FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY IN ADOLESCENT TABLE TENNIS PLAYERS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Abstract
Background: Functional training enhances young athletes’ physical performance by developing multi-joint and multiplanar movement patterns and may reduce injury risk. However, its effects on adolescent table tennis players remain insufficiently investigated. This study compared the effects of an eight-week functional training program with traditional and routine training on physical performance parameters.
Methods: Thirty male adolescent table tennis players aged 14–16 years were randomly assigned to the Functional Training Group (n = 10), Traditional Training Group (n = 10), or Control Group performing routine training (n = 10). Flexibility, agility, speed, vertical jump, Functional Movement Screen (FMS), and static and dynamic balance were assessed at pre-test, mid-test, and post-test. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and descriptive statistics. Bonferroni-corrected post hoc tests were used to identify significant differences, while effect sizes were reported using Cohen’s d and η².
Results: The Functional Training Group demonstrated significant improvements in flexibility, agility, vertical jump height, FMS scores, static and dynamic balance, and speed. The Traditional Training Group showed moderate improvements, whereas the Control Group exhibited minimal changes. Overall, functional training was more effective than traditional and routine training in improving physical performance.
Conclusion: Eight weeks of functional training significantly improved multiple physical performance parameters in adolescent table tennis players. Incorporating functional exercises into training programs may enhance athletic performance, reduce movement asymmetries, and potentially minimize injury risk. Future research should investigate the long-term effects of functional training across different age groups and competitive levels.
Keywords
Ethical Statement
The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki of the World Medical Association. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Karabük University Non-Interventional Clinical Research (Decision No: 2024/ E-77192459-050.99-381871, October 2024). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to participation.
Thanks
The authors would like to thank all participants for their valuable contribution to this study.
References
- Alexander, N. B., Galecki, A. T., Grenier, M. L., Nyquist, L. V., Hofmeyer, M. R., Grunawalt, J. C., et al. (2001). Task-specific resistance training to improve the ability of activities of daily living-impaired older adults to rise from a bed and from a chair. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 49, 1418–1427. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1532-5415.2001.4911232.x
- Barber-Westin, S., Hermeto, A., & Noyes, F. (2016). A six-week neuromuscular and performance training program improves speed, agility, dynamic balance, and core endurance in junior tennis players. Journal of Athletic Enhancement, 5, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.4172/2324-9080.1000185
- Baron, J., Bieniec, A., Swinarew, A. S., Gabryś, T., & Stanula, A. (2020). Effect of 12-week functional training intervention on the speed of young footballers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(1), 160. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17010160
- Bashir, M. H., Geok, S., Akbar, S., & Zhang, D. (2024). Enhancing physical fitness in elite field hockey players with a twelve-week functional training program: A cluster randomized control trial. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 23, 628–637. https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2024.628
- Boden, B. P., Dean, G. S., Feagin, J. J., & Garrett, W. E. (2000). Mechanisms of anterior cruciate ligament injury. Orthopedics, 23, 573–578. https://doi.org/10.3928/0147-7447-20000601-15
- Bonazza, N. A., Smuin, D., Onks, C. A., Silvis, M. L., & Dhawan, A. (2017). Reliability, validity, and injury predictive value of the Functional Movement Screen: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 45, 725–732. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546516641937
- Boyle, M. (2004). Functional training for sports. Human Kinetics.
- Cohen, J. (2013). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Routledge.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Sports Training, Exercise Physiology
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Publication Date
August 31, 2026
Submission Date
June 5, 2026
Acceptance Date
August 11, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 2
APA
Uzun, M. E. (2026). THE EFFECT OF FUNCTIONAL TRAINING ON SPEED, BALANCE, AND FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY IN ADOLESCENT TABLE TENNIS PLAYERS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL. Sivas Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 7(2), 107-118. https://izlik.org/JA78JE54WF
AMA
1.Uzun ME. THE EFFECT OF FUNCTIONAL TRAINING ON SPEED, BALANCE, AND FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY IN ADOLESCENT TABLE TENNIS PLAYERS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL. CUSPOR. 2026;7(2):107-118. https://izlik.org/JA78JE54WF
Chicago
Uzun, Mahmut Esat. 2026. “THE EFFECT OF FUNCTIONAL TRAINING ON SPEED, BALANCE, AND FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY IN ADOLESCENT TABLE TENNIS PLAYERS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL”. Sivas Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi 7 (2): 107-18. https://izlik.org/JA78JE54WF.
EndNote
Uzun ME (August 1, 2026) THE EFFECT OF FUNCTIONAL TRAINING ON SPEED, BALANCE, AND FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY IN ADOLESCENT TABLE TENNIS PLAYERS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL. Sivas Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi 7 2 107–118.
IEEE
[1]M. E. Uzun, “THE EFFECT OF FUNCTIONAL TRAINING ON SPEED, BALANCE, AND FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY IN ADOLESCENT TABLE TENNIS PLAYERS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL”, CUSPOR, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 107–118, Aug. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA78JE54WF
ISNAD
Uzun, Mahmut Esat. “THE EFFECT OF FUNCTIONAL TRAINING ON SPEED, BALANCE, AND FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY IN ADOLESCENT TABLE TENNIS PLAYERS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL”. Sivas Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi 7/2 (August 1, 2026): 107-118. https://izlik.org/JA78JE54WF.
JAMA
1.Uzun ME. THE EFFECT OF FUNCTIONAL TRAINING ON SPEED, BALANCE, AND FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY IN ADOLESCENT TABLE TENNIS PLAYERS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL. CUSPOR. 2026;7:107–118.
MLA
Uzun, Mahmut Esat. “THE EFFECT OF FUNCTIONAL TRAINING ON SPEED, BALANCE, AND FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY IN ADOLESCENT TABLE TENNIS PLAYERS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL”. Sivas Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 7, no. 2, Aug. 2026, pp. 107-18, https://izlik.org/JA78JE54WF.
Vancouver
1.Mahmut Esat Uzun. THE EFFECT OF FUNCTIONAL TRAINING ON SPEED, BALANCE, AND FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY IN ADOLESCENT TABLE TENNIS PLAYERS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL. CUSPOR [Internet]. 2026 Aug. 1;7(2):107-18. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA78JE54WF