Abstract:
Core strength training is an appropriate training method for developing players' strength i.e. core strength levels. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of core strength training on some selected physical fitness and technical skill variables of U-15 football project players in Ahadu. The variables investigated were agility, power, dribbling, and shooting accuracy. To facilitate this study, some hypotheses were formulated, and they provided the anchor for the study. The study employed an experimental research design. The samples of 30 football project players in Ahadu with an age of (EG = 14.13±0.83, and CG = 14.00±0.76) formed the sample for the study. Using comprehensive sampling, subjects were randomly assigned into two equal groups. Both the experimental (n = 15) and control group (n = 15) participated in the regular football training, However, only EG performed additional core strength training for ten weeks, with 3 sessions per week, each lasting 30 to 40 minutes. Subjects were measured on agility, power, dribbling, and shooting accuracy skills on two occasions: first, before administration of core strength training as a pre-test, and second, after ten weeks of the training as a post-test. The data collected from study subjects via primary data sources were analyzed using paired sample t-test using SPSS version 26 software to compare within groups and to observe the effect sizes of core strength training on physical fitness and technical skill levels at the 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed that core strength training significantly improved agility, power, dribbling, and shooting accuracy performance in EG at (p ≤ 0.05). Based on this finding, it can be concluded that ten weeks of core strength training has a positive effect on the improvement of physical fitness variables and technical skills of Ahadu football project players. As a result, this type of training method is recommended for football players and coaches to improve the physical fitness and technical skills of football players.