Effects of a 12-week core strength training program on physical fitness and fundamental movement skills in children aged 6–8 years

This study evaluated the effects of a 12-week core strength training program on physical fitness and fundamental movement skills (FMS) in children aged 6–8 years. A total of 128 primary school children (mean age: 7.01 ± 0.82 years; BMI: 12.78 ± 2.55 kg/m²) were randomly assigned to an experimental group (35 boys, 29 girls) or a control group (33 boys, 31 girls). The experimental group underwent three 40-minute core strength training sessions weekly, while the control group participated in standard physical education classes. Assessments were conducted at baseline and after 12 weeks using the 50-meter sprint, sit-and-reach, and one-minute jump rope tests. FMS were evaluated with backward balance walking and single-leg jumping. Independent samples t-tests compared pre- and post-intervention outcomes, and correlation analyses examined the relationship between core strength, physical fitness, and FMS. The experimental group showed significant improvements over the control group in the 50-meter sprint (-0.57 ± 0.87 s, p < .05), single-leg jump (5.86 ± 6.08 s, p < .01), side-to-side jump (10.75 ± 12.91 reps, p < .01), plank support (26.92 ± 16.86 s, p < .01), and back muscle strength (5.28 ± 4.23 kg, p < .01). Plank support correlated strongly with back muscle strength (r = 0.41, p < .01) and inversely with sprint time (r = -0.47, p < .01). Core strength, lower limb power, coordination, and stability were significantly enhanced in the experimental group, while the control group showed minimal changes. In conclusion, core strength training effectively improves physical fitness and FMS in young children, providing practical guidance for age-appropriate training programs.