Work

The Multi-Component Structure of Core Strength

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Core strength diagnostics often focus on measuring core endurance rather than maximal core strength or core power. This study investigates whether core strength can be considered as a general ability that can be measured by a single core strength test or whether it needs to be differentiated into several components. METHODS: = 22; age: 24.0 ± 2.9 years; body height: 179.0 ± 9.8 cm; body mass: 75.2 ± 12.7 kg; body fat: 18.0 ± 6.8%) participated in two randomized testing sessions in a laboratory setting. Standard measurements, such as peak rate of force development (pRFD), maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), and holding time, were taken isometrically during four exercises (ventral, dorsal, and lateral right and left). RESULTS: A principal component analysis (PCA) extracted three principal components from twelve different core strength variables. The three identified components explained 73.3% of the total variance and were labeled as (a) maximal core strength, (b) core endurance, and (c) core power. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest three principal components of the core strength construct, as well as their differentiation, may be imperative. These findings should be taken into account in sport science and sports practice as they may be helpful in planning sport-specific diagnostic, performance-oriented training, and injury prevention programs.

Source: Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology

DOI: 10.3390/jfmk9040249

Authors: Sarah Schulte, Jessica Bopp, Volker Zschorlich, Dirk Büsch

Institutions: Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, University of Rostock

Language: English

Topic: Sports Performance and Training

Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,819