INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF CORE EXERCISES ON PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE: A CASE STUDY OF MALE FOOTBALL PLAYERS AGED 11-12

This study aimed to investigate the effects of core exercises applied to male footballer children aged 11-12 on their physical performance variables. Prior to the study, participants were randomly assigned to two groups: core group (n:10) and control group (n:10). The core group performed core exercises twice a week for 8 weeks in addition to their regular technical football training. The control group continued their regular technical football training twice a week for 8 weeks. Before and after the study period, all participants underwent Illinois Agility Test, Vertical Jump Test, Squat Jump Test, Hand Grip Strength Test, Sit and Reach Flexibility Test, 20-Meter Sprint Test, Medicine Ball Throw Test, and Standing Long Jump Test. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The Shapiro-Wilk test was conducted to assess the normality of the data, and it was determined that the data did not follow a normal distribution. As a result, within-group comparisons were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test, and between-group comparisons were conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. The findings revealed statistically significant improvements (p<0.05) in all parameters except the Standing Long Jump Test in the core group. Additionally, participants in the core group showed higher rates of improvement compared to those in the control group. In conclusion, regular core exercises implemented twice a week over 8 weeks contributed to the physical performance development of 11-12-year-old footballer children.