The Relationship Between Abdominal Muscle Strength And Trunk Flexibility With Heading Ability In Football

La Ode Isa; Basman

Authors

La Ode Isa Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Sulawesi Tenggara Author
Basman Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Sulawesi Tenggara Author

Keywords:

Abdominal Muscle Strength; Trunk Flexibility; Heading Ability; Football Performance; Physical Conditioning

Abstract

Football performance requires the integration of technical proficiency and physical conditioning, particularly in aerial actions such as heading. Heading ability is biomechanically influenced by trunk acceleration, force transmission, and neuromuscular coordination, in which abdominal muscle strength and trunk flexibility play essential roles within the kinetic chain mechanism. This study aimed to examine the relationship between abdominal muscle strength and trunk flexibility with heading ability among Physical Education, Health, and Recreation students. A descriptive correlational design was employed. The population consisted of 229 students, and a sample of 33 male participants was selected through purposive random sampling (20% of 167 eligible male students). Abdominal muscle strength was measured using a 30-second sit-up test, trunk flexibility using a trunk extension test, and heading ability through a standardized heading distance test. Data were analyzed using Pearson product–moment correlation and multiple correlation analysis with a significance level of α = 0.05. The results revealed a significant relationship between abdominal muscle strength and heading ability (r = 0.750; p < 0.05), trunk flexibility and heading ability (r = 0.660; p < 0.05), and a strong simultaneous relationship between both independent variables and heading ability (r = 0.797; p < 0.05). These findings indicate that core strength and trunk flexibility substantially contribute to heading performance. The study reinforces the importance of integrated strength and mobility training to optimize football-specific skills.

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