Relationship of Core Power and Endurance with Performance in Random Intermittent Dynamic Type Sports

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the relationship of the core power and endurance with variables of athletic performance such as T test, medicine ball throw test, vertical jump test and 40 yard dash test in random intermittent dynamic type sports (RIDS). Methods: 58 male collegiate athletes involved in RIDS with mean age of 19.41 ± 1.19 years, height of 172 ± 6.62 cm, weight of 67.41 ± 8.80 kg and BMI of 22.56 ± 2.00 participated in this correlation study. The subjects were tested for core power, core endurance and performance variables. The core endurance was measured by McGill protocol and double leg lowering test (DLL) and the core power was measured by 60 seconds maximal sit-up test. Results: McGill protocol was positively correlated with medicine ball throw test (r = 0.688) and vertical jump test (r = 0.463). A strong negative correlation of McGill was identified with 40 yard dash test (r = -0.525) and T test (r = -0.687). At the same time DLL was positively correlated with 40 yard dash test (r = 0.374) and T test (r = 0.524). Only medicine ball throw test related significantly with the tests of core power. Conclusions: McGill test and DLL more significantly correlates with the performance variables such as medicine ball throw test, vertical jump test, 40 yard dash test and T test when compared with the core power measures of 60 seconds maximal sit-up test. The current study results also show that core muscle endurance is necessary for optimal performance and should not be neglected.