EFFECTS OF CORE STRENGTHENING INTERVENTION ON MAXIMAL OXYGEN UPTAKE, FLEXIBILITY AND LOWER LIMB STRENGTH IN UNIVERSITY LEVEL CYCLISTS

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of 6-week core strengthening intervention on Maximal Oxygen Uptake, Flexibility and Lower limb strength of University level Cyclists. Thirty, University level male Cyclists of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar between the age group of 18-28 years (Mean ± SD: age 21.766 ± 2.2078 yrs, body height 167.533 ± 5.593 cm, body mass 63.08 ± 3.723 kg) volunteered to participate in the study. Queens College Step test was performed to calculate Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO2max), Sit and Reach test was performed to calculate Flexibility and Vertical Jump Test was performed to calculate Lower limb Strength. The subjects from Group-A: Experimental were subjected to a 6-week core strength exercise program, 3 days a week for six weeks. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows version 16.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Data is expressed as the mean ± SD. Paired sample t-test was utilized to compare the means of the Pre-Test and the Post-Test. The level of significance was set at 0.05. Significant differences were found in Maximal Oxygen Uptake, Flexibility and Lower limb Strength in the Experimental Group subjected to 6-week core strengthening intervention. However, no significant changes were noted in the Control Group at the end of 6-week duration