Effect of eight-week core muscles strength training on physical fitness and body composition variables in male players of team games

Abstract

Objective: To find out the effect of core muscles strength training for eight weeks (five days/week) on fitness and body composition variables in male players of team games. Methods: Fifty five male players were selected for the study. Subjects were randomly divided into experimental (n: 30) and control group (n: 25). Lateral trunk endurance, endurance and explosive power of leg, abdominal muscles endurance, body weight, body fat percentage, essential fat mass, nonessential fat mass, absolute total body fat and body surface area were measured before and after intervention. Results: The significant effect of core training program was observed (p<0.05) in lateral trunk endurance, explosive power of leg, abdominal muscles endurance(respectively; 38.29%, p<0.001; 10.57%, p<0.001; 71.23%, p<0.002). Also, significant changes were found in bodyweight, fat %, essential fat, non-essential fat, absolute total body fat, body surface area, lean body and fat free body mass(respectively; F: 28.88, p<0.001; F: 4.25, p: 0.41; F: 28.88, p< 0.001; F: 5.37, p<0.001; F: 5.80, p: 0.20; F: 27.93, p<0.001; F: 2.40, p: 0.141; F: 2.03, p: 0.16). Conclusion: The eight-week core muscles strength training program used in this study was very effective for producing significant benefits to fitness level performance and body composition, as well as lowering the weight of male players.