The effects of Core Training on speed, anaerobic power and agility in 11-14 age wrestlers

Abstract

Background. Core exercises improve the central muscles of the human body such as the spine, abdomen, hip and pelvic muscle groups. It is also known that a strong core will provide a transfer of force from the lower extremity to the upper extremity. Objective. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of including 8-week core training program in wrestling training on speed, anaerobic power and agility performance in wrestlers aged 11-14. Methods. 24 wrestlers between the ages of 11-14 participated in this study. Participants were divided into two homogeneous groups of 12, considering their age and body weight. One group formed the experimental group (EG; n = 12) and the other formed the control group (CG; n = 12). In addition to wrestling training, core training program was applied to the experimental group 2 days a week (Tuesday-Friday) for 8 weeks. During this time the control group undertook a technical warm-up session specific to wrestling with a partner. Two-way repeated measures of ANOVA was used to analyze the mean differences between groups. One-way repeated measures of ANOVA was used to examine the score differences in the pre-post tests of the same group. The effect size was analyzed. For statistical significance level p < 0.05 was accepted. Results. There was no significant improvement in speed (p =.943), anaerobic power (p =.680), and agility performance (p =.343) from the pre-test to the post-test in the control group. In the experimental group, a statistically significant improvement was observed in all of the measured properties (speed, p =.001; anaerobic power, p =.000; agility, p =.028). In addition, group x time interaction between experimental group and control group pre-test and post-test scores was found to be statistically significant (speed, p =.000; anaerobic power, p =.006; agility, p =.023). Conclusion. With the addition of the 8-week core training program to wrestling training, it has been observed that speed, anaerobic power and agility performances have been positively affected.