Vol. 2, Issue 1, Part A (2020)

Abstract: Core training has been widely used by trainers recently in order to improve performance of soccer players. But the researcher doubt that what effect it brings and how much coaches who works at Ethiopian soccer projects/programs aware its effect. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of core strength training on speed, agility and anaerobic power on U-17 soccer trainees. All off twenty six (26) soccer players who was the only soccer training project team at Dessie town with age U-17 were conveniently selected and participated voluntarily in the research. Among those half of them were randomly selected as EG which specially prepared core strength training was applied and the rest were CG. Weight and height averages of U-17 EG and CG were similar which is 56.92 Kg and 57.77 Kg in weight and 1.68m and 1.71m in height respectively. Before training, PT of two groups of thirteen (13) players (IAT and TT of agility tests, VJ and SLJ tests of anaerobic power tests and 10m & 40m dash speed tests) were recorded. The core strength training were implemented on the EG twice a week, 35 to 40 min a day. Consequently after six weeks of core strength training, DT was taken in each parameters and a little improvement in each test results were observed and training was continually given by increasing its intensity. After three months, posttest measurement on the same parameters was taken. The difference between the tests were analyzed statistically, with paired sample “t” test at P<0.05 Consequently it was observed that core strength training implemented on junior level players brought about significant improvements between pre and post test results of agility, in which duration to complete IAT and TT was decreased by a mean difference of 0.381 seconds at P=0.001 and 0.738 seconds at P=0.000. Speed in which duration of 10m and 40m dash speed test result was decreased by a mean difference of .1262seconds at P=.020 and .1293seconds at P=.010 respectively.. And power, in which height and length of VJ and SLJ test result were increased by a mean difference of .06m at P=.000 and .1161 m at P=.000 respectively. As result the investigator recommended that adding core strength training on their soccer training program helps to improve players speed, agility and power.