AIM: Over the previous decade, there have been significant changes in the approach to training athletes in terms of emphasizing training for core strength and muscle endurance. However, the results of previous research indicate a weak correlation between core strength and sport performance and a weak impact of core muscles strength and endurance training on the sport performance. Therefore, the main objectives of this study were (1) to determine the latent structure and factor validity of core strength, power and muscle endurance tests and (2) to determine the relationship between core and hip muscle strength and power with sport performance tests in football players. Following the methodological limitations observed in previous studies, the intent of this study was to evaluate the dimensions of core muscle strength and power in all planes (sagittal, frontal and transverse), in different postural positions (standing and sitting), and to include hip muscles in the evaluation. METHODS: The sample consisted of 91 football players age 17.3 ± 1.7 years, with a minimum experience of 7 years in competitive football. Football was chosen as a sport that includes the performance of jumps, sprints, rapid changes in direction and throws, which is common to most team sports. All subjects were measured with a battery of tests that included (1) core muscle strength and power tests: isometric core muscle dynamometry (8 tests), dynamic core power tests (9 tests), and static core muscle endurance (4 tests), (2) tests of isometric strength of hip extensors and flexors and (3) tests of sport performance: long jump, 20m sprint, Zig-Zag test, counter movement jump and standing medicine ball throw. RESULTS: The results confirmed the research hypothesis that the latent dimensions of core strength and power are clearly defined by the muscles work regime and their functional role. Factor analysis extracted 4 main components that explain 70% of the total variability of core strength and power measures. The obtained factors clearly differentiated the three components of the core muscles function: strength, power and muscle endurance, whereby the factor of core strength in the standing position was differentiated from that in the sitting position. This finding indicates the importance of the leg muscles involvement in the manifestation of core strength. In the context of core muscle function role in sport performance, the results of this study showed that manifest variables and the latent dimension of core power have the highest degree of correlation and predictive relations with sport performance tests. Core power explained 20-79% of the variance in sport performance tests. CONCLUSION: The obtained results suggest that core power is an important factor in the successful performance of sprints, jumps and throws in highly trained young male football players. This research showed that the hip flexors and extensors strength has a relatively low correlation with, and impact on, the performance of football players. Overall, the results obtained have significant practical implications: (1) testing of core strength and power in athletes should be performed with the feet on the ground, in sport-specific conditions and (2) in order to improve their sport performance, it is necessary to include explosive throws of medicine ball in the football players training. The usual way of developing and measuring core muscle function in plank position seems insufficiently specific to improve the performance of athletes.