Effect of Core Strength on the Measure of Power in the Extremities

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of core strength on the transfer and production of forces in the extremities. Twenty-five division 1 collegiate football players performed a series of medicine ball throws in the forward, reverse, right and left directions in a static and dynamic position. The results of the medicine ball throws were compared to several athletic performance measurements including: push press power, 1RM squat, 1RM bench press, countermovement vertical jump, broad jump, 40 yard dash, 20 yard dash, pro agility to the right and left, and the L drill. Several strong correlations were found in both the static and dynamic medicine ball throw positions when compared to the performance measures. Static reverse correlated with vertical jump (CMJ) (r=0.44), broad jump (BRD)(r=0.5) and push press power (PWR)(r=0.46). Static left (StL) and static right (StRi) correlated with PWR (r=0.59), (r=0.65) respectively, and Vel (r=0.52)(r=0.6), respectively. Fewer dynamic throws correlated significantly with the performance variables. Dynamic left (DyL) and Dynamic right (DyRi) correlated with PWR (r=0.53), (r=0.63) respectively, and Vel (r=0.55),(r=0.61) respectively. Dynamic forward (DyFw) correlated with the 1RM squat (r=0.45). A stepwise regression for push press power prediction reveals that 1RM squat is the best predictor of push press power. The results indicate that core strength does have a significant effect on the ability of an athlete to create and transfer forces in the extremities.