The Effects of Core Training on Selected Physical Performance Parameters in Judo Athletes

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an 8-week core training program on the lower-extremity, upper-extremity, and core strength of judokas. Methods: This study is based on a pre-test/post-test experimental design involving repeated measures and a control group. The study was conducted with the voluntary participation of 20 judo athletes (10 females and 10 males) aged between 18 and 22 years (mean age: 18.60 years; height: 163 cm; body weight: 59.40 kg; BMI: 22.30 kg/m2). Participants were divided into two groups: a control group that continued routine judo training and an experimental group that performed core training in addition to routine judo training. Participants performed Medial Push-Ups (MPUs) to assess upper-extremity muscle strength; sit-ups and Plank Tests (PTs) to assess core strength; five different Single-Leg Hop Tests (SLHTs) to assess lower-extremity muscle strength; and the Y Balance Test (YBT) to assess balance. These tests were conducted before and after the 8-week core training program. Results: PT performance improved significantly in both groups, with a significant group × time interaction (p < 0.001, η2p = 0.623), indicating greater improvement in the core training group compared to the control group. No significant interaction was observed for MPU and Sit-up tests; however, a significant main effect of time was detected for MPU (p = 0.032, η2p = 0.231), suggesting general improvements in both groups. For SLHT parameters, no significant group × time interactions were detected (p > 0.050); improvements were observed over time across groups. In balance performance, a significant group × time interaction was found only in the NDS postero-medial (PM) direction (p = 0.020, η2p = 0.267), whereas the other parameters demonstrated time-related improvements without between-group differences. Conclusions: Core stability training resulted in greater improvements in PT performance and influenced balance performance in the NDS PM direction. Improvements observed in other performance parameters appeared to be time-related rather than intervention-specific. Overall, core stability training may contribute to core endurance and certain aspects of lower-extremity function in judokas.