The impact of CORE exercises on strengthening and balancing the legs of football players under the age of 17

Abstract

Football is a competitive sport that is distinguished by changing motor performance. The change in performance requires that players acquire bio-motor capacities that are appropriate for this performance, as well as master the skills. This includes coaches paying close attention to the use of numerous exercises and tools that allow the player to make those changes that contribute to the learning and mastery of abilities, as well as the capacity to perform with control, fluidity, and high precision. The player's physical fitness will enhance their performance throughout the competition, enabling them to perform positively and prepare for higher levels, emphasizing the importance of the junior stage. Following up on youth leagues, the researcher noticed that some coaches neglected the importance of the axis area during the youth preparation period, resulting in a lack of muscle strength in the lower abdomen, back, and thigh area, and all of this is ultimately reflected in the level of bio-motor capabilities. This inspired the researcher to develop CORE exercises for juniors as one of the critical ways to increase the physical level of junior football players. The study aims to design CORE workouts to improve strength and motor balance in football players under the age of 17. In addition, to determine the effect of core workouts on the development of strength and motor balance in football players under the age of 17. The experimental approach was chosen by the researcher to meet the nature of the research and its aims. The research population consisted of (202) junior football players under the age of 17 in Babil Governorate teams during the sports season (2022-2023). The research sample was picked at random and consisted of club players. Al-Kafl Al-Athlete had 24 players out of 30 after (6) players were excluded for various reasons, and they were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups, each with 12 players and the researcher used some modern methods and tools to complete the research. The study includes implementing exercises for a period of (8) weeks at a rate of (3) training units each week, at a rate of (24) training units, and then completing post-tests and statistically processing the data using proper statistical tests and procedures. The main results are that CORE exercises improve the development of (maximum trunk muscular strength, abdominal muscle strength defined by speed, motor balance, abdominal muscle bearing strength, and back muscle bearing strength). The training load used during the performance of (CORE) exercises has a major role in the emergence of significant differences between the results of the pre and post-tests in the development of strength and motor balance. As for the most important recommendations, Relying on the results of the research in defining the vocabulary of exercises (CORE) in developing strength and motor balance and programming them for young players in the stage of special preparation. Using CORE exercises with other biokinetic abilities.