Stephen Seiler FASCM and Atle Sæterbakken
A Unique Core Stability Training Program Improves Throwing Velocity in Female High School Athletes
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 40(5, supplement), s25, 2008.

28 female handballplayers were divided into two groups. One group trained S-E-T (Redcord) was compared to a control group. Before and after the training intervention throwing velocity with a 600g handball was measured with photo cell array. Testing of one legged balance and push-up in unstable slings was also measured. The S-E-T (Redcord) group performed 6 exercises in closed kinetic chain twice a week for 7 weeks. Averaged throwing velocity increased significantly in the S-E-T (Redcord) group (4,9%) compared to no change in the control group. Functional strength measured as push-up in unstable slings also increased significantly in the S-E-T (Redcord) group. One legged balance was not significantly improved after the intervention in either group. The study conclude that core stability training performed in closed kinetic chain can significantly increase throwing velocity in handballplayers.
Only the abstract is so far published.

Stray Pedersen J.I, Magnussen R, Kuffel E. Seiler S.Sling Exercise Training improves balance, kicking velocity and torso stabilization strength in elite soccer players.Medicine & Science in Sport & Exercise 38(5):S243, 2006

12 Norwegian division one football players took part in the intervention group.  The intervention group was training S-E-T twice a week for 8 weeks.  9 players at the same level served as control group.  The players which trained S-E-T obtained a significant improvement in static balance and improved kicking velocity. No changes was observed in the control group.  To our knowledge this is the first controlled trial quantifying the impact of a specific core stability training program on soccer kicking performance, a movement involving segmental summation of velocity.  Only the abstract has so far been published.

Seiler S, Skaanes P.T, Kirkesola G.

Effects of Sling Exercise Training on maximal clubhead velocity in junior golfers.

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 38(5):S286, 2006

 

Junior golfers were divided into two groups were one group was training S-E-T while the other group did traditional strength training.  The intervention period lasted for 9 weeks.  Both S-E-T and control group increased maximal clubhead velocity significantly after 9 week training period.  The increase in velocity averaged 1,2% for control group and 3,7% for S-E-T group.  The improvements observed in the S-E-T group was significantly greater than observed in the control group (p<0,001).  To our knowledge this is the first controlled trial quantifying the impact of a specific core stability training program on golf driving performance, a movement involving segmental summation of velocity.  Only the abstract has so far been published.

Prokopy, MP, Ingersoll, CD, Nordenschild, E, Katch, FI, Gaesser GA, Weltman A.
Closed-kinetic chain upper-body training improves throwing performance of NCAA Division I Softball players. Journal of Strength and conditioning 22(6): 1790-1798, 2008

Summary:
12 softball players were divided into two groups where one group trained exercises for upper-body with the use of free weights and dumbbells (open kinetic chain), and one group trained upper-body exercise with Redcord (closed kinetic chain). Both groups trained 3 times per week for 12 weeks. Training intensity was equal in the two groups. Pre and post training the subjects were tested for: throwing velocity, bench-press (1RM), dynamic balance and isokinetic peak torque and power for shoulder flexion, extension, internal rotation and external rotation. The group that trained exercises in closed kinetic chain significantly increased (3,4%) throwing velocity compared to the group that trained exercises in open kinetic chain (0,5%). Several of the strength tests trended towards significant improvements with closed kinetic chain training but low subject numbers limited significant group differences to be observed. The authors conclude that neural adaptations may be the cause of the improvement observed in the group that trained exercises in closed kinetic chain.