The Effect of Motor Imagery Training in Addition to Core Stabilization Exercises on Core Performance, Balance, Functional Capacity, and Quality of Life in Healthy Adolescents Girls

Adolescence is the period in which a person grows and develops the fastest, covering the transition from childhood to maturity. Compared to sedentary adolescents who regularly exercise, there were significant differences in levels of functional capacity, cognitive function, and quality of life. The balance that shows significant development in the adult period, if not sufficiently developed, results in a lack of proper balance during movements, making individuals exposed to injuries.

A strong "core" area is needed to ensure the stabilization of the whole body and increase functional capacity. In the studies carried out, the "core" exercise programs resulted in increased lumbopelvic stability, improved small and large muscle strength, and increased body control and balance.

Motor imagery is defined as the resurrection of movement in the mind before movement occurs. For individuals with health or health-related problems, it has been found that the implementation of imaging tasks is beneficial, either alone or in addition to physical practice and that similar brain regions are activated during the performance of the movement and imaging the movement.

56 healthy girls will be included in our study. The participants will be randomly divided into 2 groups, including 28 control groups and 28 training groups. The core performance will be assessed with the Modified Push-Up Test and Sit-Up Test. The Flamingo test will be used to assess static balance and the Y test will be used to assess dynamic balance. Quality of life will be assessed with the Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire (PedsQL) for adolescents aged 13-18 years. Functional capacity will be assessed with the 6-Minute Walk Test. Exercise Readiness Questionnaire will be used to measure exercise readiness. The Movement Imagery Questionnaire-Revised (MIQ-R) form will be used for motor imagery; the Vividness of Motor Imagery Questionnaire (VMIQ) will be used for clarity and vividness of motor imagery. During the motor imagery training, heart rate will be measured to determine whether the participant performs the imagery correctly. In addition to all of these assessments, the values of Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, Saturation, Dyspnea, and Fatigue Levels (Modified Borg Dyspnea and fatigue scales) will be recorded. The control group will be subject to Jeffreys' core (body) stabilization training protocol. The training group will receive engine simulation training in addition to Jeffreys' core (body) stabilization training protocol. The control group and the training group will implement training programs with a physiotherapist 3 times a week for 8 weeks. All assessments will be repeated before and after the 8-week training program.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of motor imagery training given in addition to core stabilization training on core performance, balance, functional capacity, and quality of life in healthy adolescent girls.