Determining relationship between core muscle strength and performance parameters of sportspersons at secondary school level

Abstract

Core muscle ability is detrimental in skill-based fitness for athletes. Core stability and balance are critically important almost for all kinds of sports and activities. Having a strong and stable core muscle can help perform better and avoid injury. Nowadays, physical and technical experts, coaches and athletes at home and abroad have incorporated core strength into strength training, which has a certain effect on the special achievements of each project. Although the media portrays these ideas as truth, the scientific community remains uncertain as to the relationship between core stability and athletic performance. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between core muscle strength and performance parameters of sportspersons at secondary school level of Shivamogga District. The subjects for the present investigation were 41 male inter school level sportspersons from various schools of Shivamogga District, Karnataka. The muscle strength was assessed through 3 tests- The forward medicine ball toss test, the backward medicine ball throw test and the rotational medicine ball throw test. Performance parameters include the following- Power, Speed, Agility, Coordination, Reaction time, Balance, Skill levels and Sports achievement. Pearson product moment correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationship between core muscle strength and selected performance parameters. Core muscle strength is negatively correlated with skill levels of high school sportspersons. Core muscle strength is negatively correlated with sports achievement of high school sportspersons. Core muscle strength is positively correlated with power of high school sportspersons.