Relationship between anaerobic power and isokinetic trunk strength in college male soccer players

Background: Although anaerobic power affects soccer performance, the relationship between anaerobic power and core strength in soccer players has not been well studied. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between anaerobic power and core strength. Methods: The subjects were 31 college male soccer players. Their physical characteristics, anaerobic power (Wingate anaerobic test: WAnT), and core strength (isokinetic trunk strength test; ITST) were measured. To describe the effect of core strength on anaerobic power, the Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis were conducted. Results: A significant relationship between the WAnT peak power (PP) and variables of ITST was observed (vs. trunk extension strength; TES: r = 0.629, vs. trunk flexion strength; TES: r = 0.507, vs. trunk extension power; TEP: r = 0.411, and vs. trunk flexion power; TFP: r = 0.555). We also found a relationship between the WAnT mean power (MP) and variables of ITST (vs. TES: r = 0.654, vs. TFS: r = 0.559, vs. TEP: r = 0.468, and vs. TFP: r = 0.720). The variables of ITST affecting WAnT PP were TES (P < 0.001) and TFP (P < 0.001). The explanatory power of these variables was 59.7% (R-2 = 0.597). The variables of ITST affecting WAnT MP were TFS (P < 0.001) and TSE (P < 0.001). The explanatory power of these variables was 72.7% (R-2 = 0.727). Conclusion: The results of our study showed that isokinetic trunk strength significantly associated with the WAnT peak and mean power.