Effects of Core Training in Physical Fitness of Youth Karate Athletes: A Controlled Study Design

Menderes Kabadayı, Soner Karadeniz, Ali Kerim Yılmaz, Emre Karaduman, Özgür Bostancı, Zeki Akyildiz, Filipe Manuel Clemente and Ana Filipa Silva
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Menderes Kabadayı: Faculty of Yaşar Doğu Sport Sciences, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun 55270, Turkey
Soner Karadeniz: Faculty of Yaşar Doğu Sport Sciences, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun 55270, Turkey
Ali Kerim Yılmaz: Faculty of Yaşar Doğu Sport Sciences, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun 55270, Turkey
Emre Karaduman: Faculty of Yaşar Doğu Sport Sciences, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun 55270, Turkey
Özgür Bostancı: Faculty of Yaşar Doğu Sport Sciences, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun 55270, Turkey
Zeki Akyildiz: Faculty of Sport Sciences, Gazi University, Ankara 06500, Turkey
Filipe Manuel Clemente: Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Álvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Ana Filipa Silva: Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Álvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 10, 1-15

Abstract: This study aimed to analyse the impact of an 8-week core strength training (CST) programme in youth karate practitioners on core endurance, agility, flexibility, sprinting, jumping, and kick performance. This study followed a randomized parallel design. Twenty-nine participants (age: 12.86 ± 0.81 years old; height: 152.55 ± 10.37 cm; weight: 42.93 ± 8.85 kg) were allocated to a CST programme ( n = 16) performed thrice weekly or to a control group ( n = 13) only performing the sport-specific (karate) training. Participants were assessed three times (baseline, mid and post-intervention) for the following tests: (i) flexor endurance test (FET); (ii) back extensor test (BET); (iii) lateral musculature test (LMT); (iv) flexibility; (v) chance of direction (COD); (vi) countermovement jump (CMJ); (vii) back muscle strength (BMS); (viii) horizontal jump (LJ); (ix) sprint test; and (x) karate kick test (KKT). Between-group analysis revealed significant advantages for the CST group on the FET ( p < 0.001), BET ( p < 0.001), LMT ( p < 0.001), 20 m sprint ( p = 0.021) and KKT for right ( p < 0.006) and left ( p < 0.020) legs. No significant differences were found between groups in the remaining physical fitness variables ( p > 0.05). The within-group changes revealed significant improvements in the CST group at flexibility ( p = 0.002), COD ( p < 0.001), CMJ ( p < 0.001), BMS ( p < 0.002), 20 m sprint ( p = 0.033), and KKT ( p < 0.001). In addition, within-group changes in the control group were also significant in flexibility ( p = 0.024) and right kick ( p < 0.042). We conclude that the CST programme improves core endurance and karate kick performance; however, it is not effective enough for other physical performance parameters in KR practitioners.

Keywords: karate; strength training; core training; athletic performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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