Effects of core strength training on selected skill related fitness components of digotsion town male u-17 years soccer players , north western Ethiopia

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of core strength training on power, speed and agility on U-17 soccer trainees. 20 male soccer playerswho was the only soccer U-17 project team at Digotsion town were purposively selected and voluntarily participated in this study. Subjects were divided randomly into two groups, experimental group (EG: n=10) and control group (CG: n=10). 10 subjects in experimental group (age = 15.9 years, body mass = 49.6 kg, height = 1.65 meter) and 10 subjects in control group (age = 15.9 years, body mass = 48.7 kg, and height = 1.66 meter.This research was an experimental (pre-test, post-test) design. The parameters selected for the study were speed, power, and agility tests. Before the core strength training, pre-test results of the Experimental and Control Group of power tests (Vertical Jump Test and Standing Long Jump Test), speed tests (20m dash and 30m dash), and agility tests (Illinois agility test and T-test) were recorded. The subjects in the experimental group also took 40 minute core strength training twice a week and then continued the normal training program with the control group in other training days. After six weeks, post-test measurements on the sameparameters were taken and results of the two groups were recorded. To analyse the parameters, means, standard deviations, and paired samples test were computed. The difference between the tests were analyzed statistically, with paired sample “t” test at P<0.05. Consequently it was observed that core strength training implemented on junior level players brought about significant improvements between pr-test and post-test results of power, in vertical jump test and standing long jump test results were increased by a Post-test-Pre-test of mean difference 1.600 cm and 2.600 cm respectively. The Speed tests in 20m dash and 30m dash results were decreased by a Post-test-Pre-test of mean difference .05600 second and .06000 second respectively. And agility tests in Illinois agilitytest and T-test were decreased by a Post-Pretest of mean difference .14900 second and .34900 second respectively. According to the results of this study, core strength trainings which were applied additionally to soccer trainings can contribute positively to the development of players' power, speed and agility skills. Future researches with a longitudinal design are needed to further examine the impact of core strength training on power, speed and agility in soccer players. And Studies should be conducted in the same area on different samples in terms of age and gender