Mohamed Abdelbaky, F., Ahmed Ibrahim, A. (2014). Effect of Core Strength Training on Power and Dynamic Balance among Child Athletes. Journal of Applied Sports Science, 4(2), 93-98. doi: 10.21608/jass.2014.84784
Fatma Mohamed Abdelbaky; Amany Ahmed Ibrahim. "Effect of Core Strength Training on Power and Dynamic Balance among Child Athletes". Journal of Applied Sports Science, 4, 2, 2014, 93-98. doi: 10.21608/jass.2014.84784
Mohamed Abdelbaky, F., Ahmed Ibrahim, A. (2014). 'Effect of Core Strength Training on Power and Dynamic Balance among Child Athletes', Journal of Applied Sports Science, 4(2), pp. 93-98. doi: 10.21608/jass.2014.84784
Mohamed Abdelbaky, F., Ahmed Ibrahim, A. Effect of Core Strength Training on Power and Dynamic Balance among Child Athletes. Journal of Applied Sports Science, 2014; 4(2): 93-98. doi: 10.21608/jass.2014.84784
Effect of Core Strength Training on Power and Dynamic Balance among Child Athletes
Faculty of Physical Education for Girls, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
Abstract
The “IAAF Kids Athletics” program aims to ensure a steady and sustainable policy of athletics development. The program is not intended only for clubs and member federations but also for schools and all institutions that are interested in the well-being of children. The IAAF seeks to popularize athletics in six areas through several competitions called “A Team Event for Children,” comprising three event groups: Sprinting/Running Event Group, Jumping Event Group, and Throwing Event Group. Three age categories are targeted by the program: 7-8 years, 9-10 years, and 11-12 years. Core strength consists of the motor control and muscular capacity of the lumbopelvic-hip complex. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of a 10-week core strength training program on dynamic balance, power, and program skills among child athletics. Twenty children were divided into two groups. The experimental group consisted of 10 children in the 7-8 year age group. The subjects in this group underwent a core strength training program that consisted of body weight exercises, the Swiss ball, and the medicine ball for 10 weeks. The control group consisted of 10 children who were the same age as the experimental group. Height, weight, power, dynamic balance, and training age were assessed. All of the subjects were free of any disorders known to affect performance, such as bone fractures, osteoporosis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. All of the participants were fully informed of the aims of the study and gave their voluntary consent before participation. The measurement procedures were consistent with ethical human experimentation. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. The results are reported as means and standard deviations. Differences between the two groups are reported as the mean difference ± 95% confidence intervals. Student’s t-test for independent samples was used to determine differences in the parameters between the two groups. The results revealed significant increases in dynamic balance, power, and program skills between the pre- and post-measures in the experimental group. In conclusion, a 10-week core strength program can improve physical skills and dynamic balance in child athletics.