Correlation Between Core Endurance And Sprint Accleration In Recreational College Athletes- A Correlational Study

Background: Sprint acceleration is a critical component of success in both individual and team sports, particularly those requiring rapid, explosive movements over short distances. Acceleration refers to the ability to increase velocity in the shortest possible time, a performance attribute heavily influenced by neuromuscular coordination, muscle power, and biomechanical efficiency. Core endurance is the capacity of the trunk muscles to maintain postural control and stability which plays a pivotal role in optimizing sprint mechanics and enhancing athletic output.Aim: To investigate the correlation between core muscle endurance and sprint acceleration performance among recreational college athletesMethodology: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted involving 60 recreational college athletes (20males, 40 females), aged between 18–25 years, all within a normal body mass index (BMI) range. Participantswere screened based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Core muscle endurance was assessed using theprone plank test, while sprint acceleration was measured using a 35-meter sprint test. Data were statistically analyzed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient due to non-normal distributionResults: Analysis revealed a weak negative correlation between core endurance and sprint acceleration time (r = -0.339, p = 0.01). This indicates that athletes with higher core endurance tended to perform better in the 35-meter sprint test, albeit modestly.Conclusion: The findings suggest that core endurance, as evaluated by the prone plank test, is modestly associated with sprint acceleration in recreational athletes. Incorporating core endurance training into conditioning programs may contribute to improved sprint performance and overall athletic efficiency.