Abstract:

The study deals with determining the levels of motor abilities and their targeted development in sports clubs, thus providing up-to-date knowledge about physical fitness levels in school-aged children. The purpose of the study is to determine the effects of core training on the development of selected motor abilities in karate practitioners. The sample consisted of boys whose mean age, body height, body weight, and BMI at pretest was 12.75 (SD= 0.77 years), 150.63 (SD=6.13 cm), 43.88 (SD= 2.78 kg), and 19.34 (SD=0.66 kg.m-2), respectively. The standardized Eurofit test battery was administered to assess the levels of motor abilities. The experimental group undertook a 6-week exercise intervention program. A single training unit lasted between 30 and 35 minutes and consisted of 6 exercises. The rest periods between exercises were between 15 and 30 s long. As a consequence of the epidemiological measures against the Covid-19 disease, children trained at their homes, using the online setting as guidelines. To process the collected data, t-test for dependent samples, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Mann-Whitney U-test were used. Upon the completion of the intervention program, the experimental group significantly improved in the Flamingo balance test, plate tapping, sit-and-reach, sit-ups in 30 s, and 10x5 m shuttle run. We have determined the effects of a training program aimed to develop motor abilities among groups of karate practitioners aged 12 to 14 years. We recommend applying an 8 to 10-minute core training during the preparatory section of training right after the warm-up. It is ideal to apply these exercises every day to achieve overall improvement of core stability and strength. This study was conducted within the project VEGA 1/0120/19 entitled “Movement correction of the problematic behavior of students from the standard population and students with special educational needs educated under the conditions of integration”.

Keywords:

Core, training program, strength, intervention.