Effect of Core Strength Training on the Physical Fitness and Skills of Youth Field Hockey Players in China

Summary

Hockey, tracing its origins back to 2000 BC, has undergone substantial evolutionary transformations throughout the centuries. Initially known by various names, the game transitioned to its modern form approximately 50 years ago, when matches were conducted on grass fields with wooden sticks. In contemporary international hockey, there has been a notable shift towards artificial grass, cultivating a dynamic and fast-paced game that places heightened demands on individual skills, tactical acumen, and physical fitness. This evolution reflects a continuous adaptation, seamlessly blending tradition with cutting-edge equipment and hybrid playing grounds.

Against this backdrop, modern-day hockey programs have metamorphosed into rigorous and demanding training regimes. Athletes engaged in these programs are required not only to demonstrate outstanding physical fitness but also exhibit a high level of proficiency in the nuanced skills essential for competitive play. As hockey continues its progressive trajectory, athletes partaking in these programs must meet elevated standards, underscoring the imperative integration of both exceptional fitness levels and precise skill execution.

Despite the growing emphasis on the physical and skill dimensions of hockey, a literature review uncovered a dearth of research specifically focusing on core strength training for hockey players. While core strength training has demonstrated efficacy in improving physical fitness and skill performance among athletes in other team sports, its applicability to hockey players remains underexplored. Moreover, no studies have systematically examined the impact of core strength training on the two critical variables of physical fitness and skill performance in hockey players.

To address this research gap, the present study sought to investigate the effects of core strength training on the physical fitness and skill performance of youth hockey players in Gansu Province, China. By doing so, this study not only contributes valuable insights to the existing body of literature but also furnishes theoretical support for the development of hockey sport programs. The findings are anticipated to inform targeted interventions aimed at enhancing athletes' physical fitness and skill performance, ultimately fostering the progression of hockey programs within the sporting landscape of China.

Conditions

• Player

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

core strength training 1-6weeks

Behaviour: core strength training intervention for 1-6 weeks. Experimental: The experimental group performed core strength training during weeks 1-3. Subjects were first provided with basic information, familiarised with the content of the first phase of core strength training and watched a core strength video to understand its importance. The initial intervention was designed to ensure that subjects were proficient in core strength training, including warm-up and stretching patterns. During weeks 4-6, subjects will be supervised and assisted and a test will be organised at the end of week 6. Variables related to physical fitness and skills were recorded to assess whether core strength training improved physical fitness and skills.

BEHAVIORAL

core strength training 7-12weeks

Behaviour: core strength training intervention #7-12 weeks#. Experimental: Weeks 7-9 were the experimental group: Continued to warm up before each training session. The training content will increase in difficulty during this phase, and the supervisor should explain the training content and watch videos of the movements prior to training and prepare the training equipment in advance to protect the athlete from injury. Weeks 10-12: This is an advanced stage, requiring equipment and difficult movements to complete, please supervisors to arrange personnel to do a good job of protection to ensure that the subjects can complete the training tasks. A test will be conducted the day after Week 12 to measure the athlete's physical fitness and skills.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universiti Putra Malaysia

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Hucheng Ma, PHD · University Putra Malaysia

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

SEQUENTIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

15 Years

Max Age

17 Years

Sex

MALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-02-15

Primary Completion

2024-06-01

Completion

2024-06-15

Countries

• China

Study Locations