Influences of Abdominal Core Strengthening on Explosive Strength in Martial Arts Athletes

Abstract

Introduction: Martial arts demand a high-stability from their athletes, allied to a fast speed in complex movements. These characteristics have been shown to increase in other sports with the strengthening of the abdominal core of their athletes, and it is believed that martial arts practitioners could also benefit from this additional exercise. Objective: Explore the influences of abdominal core strengthening on explosive strength in martial arts athletes. Methods: Twenty martial arts athletes were selected and randomly divided between the experimental and control group. The experimental group did abdominal core strength training associated with traditional physical training, while the control group practiced only traditional physical training. After the experiment, new physical tests were performed, comparing the pre and post results regarding peak torque, explosive strength, and impact explosive strength of martial arts athletes. Results: The relative strike force of the straight fist in the experimental group increased from 25.75 to 31.89 after the experiment; the relative strike force to the lower limbs increased from 37.64 to 47.00 after the experiment (p<0.05). Conclusion: After the executed strength training, the athletes’ extensor peak torque and impact explosive strength indexes were significantly enhanced, evidencing the improvement of the explosive strength of martial arts athletes. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.