Effectiveness and time-course adaptation of resistance training vs. plyometric training in prepubertal soccer players

Purpose:This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and time course for improvements in explosive actions through resistance training(RT)vs.plyometric training(PT)in prepubertal soccer players.Methods:Thirty-four male subjects were assigned to:a control group(n=11);an RT group(5 regular soccer training sessions per week,n=12);a PT group(3 soccer training sessions and 2 RT sessions per week,n=11).The outcome measures included tests for the assessment of muscle strength(e.g.,1 repetition maximum half-squat test),jump ability(e.g.,countermovement jump,squat jump,standing long jump,and multiple 5 bounds test),linear speed(e.g.,20m sprint test),and change of direction(e.g.,Illinois change of direction test).Results:The RTG showed an improvement in the half-squat(△=13.2%;d=1.3,p<0.001)and countermovement jump(△=9.4%;d=2.4,p<0.001)at Week 4,whereas improvements in the 20-m sprint(△=4.2%;d=1.1,p<0.01);change of direction(CoD)(△=3.8%;d=2.1,p<0.01);multiple 5 bounds(△=5.1%;d=1.5,p<0.05);standing long jump(△=7.2%;d=1.2,p<0.01);squat jump(△=19.6%;d=1.5,p<0.01);were evident at Week 8.The PTG showed improvements in CoD(△=2.1%;d=1.3,p<0.05);standing long jump(△=9.3%;d=1.1,p<0.01);countermovement jump(△=16.1%;d=1.2,p<0.01);and squat jump(△=16.7%;d=1.4,p<0.01);at Week 8 whereas improvements in the 20-m sprint(△=4.1%;d=1.3,p<0.01);and multiple 5 bounds(△=7.4%;d=2.4,p<0.001);were evident only after Week.The RT and PT groups showed improvements in all sprint,CoD,and jump tests(p<0.05)and in half-squat performance,for which improvement was only shown within the RTG(p<0.001).Conclusion:RT and PT conducted in combination with regular soccer training are safe and feasible interventions for prepubertal soccer players.In addition,these interventions were shown to be effective training tools to improve explosive actions with different time courses of improvements,which manifested earlier in the RTG than in the PTG.These outcomes may help coaches and fitness trainers set out clear and concise goals of training according to the specific time course of improvement difference between RT and PT on proxies of athletic performance of prepubertal soccer players.

The Effects of a Complex Training Protocol on Vertical Jump Performance in Male High School Basketball Players

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of CT （complex training） on VJ （vertical jump）. It was hypothesized that VJ height would be enhanced through CT and even greater increases would occur as a result of higher intensity resistance exercise. Twenty male high school basketball players were divided into two training groups： a H1 （high intensity）, low repetition group and a medium intensity, HR （high repetition） group. Each training group trained twice per week for six weeks. Training protocols involved three sets of 8-10 squat repetitions （80%-85% 1RM （repetition maximum）） for the HI group followed by ten countermovement jumps and thre.e sets of 12-15 squat repetitions （60%-70% 1RM） for the HR group followed by ten countermovement jumps. A three minute rest period was utilized between each set. Participants were tested at weeks 1, 3, and 6. The results of this study revealed that there was not a significant difference between the two CT protocols with respect to VJ （p = 0.077）. At week 6 both groups increased VJ significantly; HI group （4.0 ±1.8 cm, p 〈 0.01） and the HR group （2.7 ± 1.6 cm, p 〈 0.01）. Within the parameters of this study CT with either HI or HR protocols are effective at improving VJ.