title: Relationship between core strength and key variables of performance in elite rink hockey players.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that a significant relationship exists between the level of core strength-endurance and key variables of endurance, strength, power, speed, and agility performance in male elite rink hockey players.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten male elite rink hockey players of the German national team were tested for 1) time to exhaustion, maximum oxygen uptake, and running economy, 2) one repetition maximum bench press and half squat, 3) counter movement jump height, 4) 5 m, 10 m, and 20 m speed, and 5) 22 m agility. The rink hockey players were also tested for 6) ventral, lateral-left, lateral-right, and dorsal core strength-endurance using concentric-eccentric muscle tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The level of total and ventral core strength-endurance was very largely correlated with maximum oxygen uptake (r=0.74 and r=0.71, both P<0.05). Additionally, there was a large correlation between the level of ventral core strength-endurance and time to exhaustion (r=0.66, P<0.05). No further significant relationships were observed (best r=0.60, P>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings from this study suggest that the level of core strength-endurance is largely to very largely correlated with key variables of endurance performance, but not significantly with strength, power, speed, or agility indicators in male elite rink hockey players. These findings should be noted by coaches and scientists when testing physical fitness or planning strength and conditioning programs for male elite rink hockey players.
authors: Research Center for Performance Diagnostics and Training Advice, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany - m.hoppe@uni-wuppertal.de.
authors: M W
authors: MW
authors: Hoppe
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Freiwald
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Baumgart
authors: D P
authors: DP
authors: Born
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: Reed
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Sperlich
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance; D005080:Exercise Test; D006688:Hockey; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010807:Physical Endurance; D055815:Young Adult