Research article - (2007)06, 519 - 525
Effects of a Short-Term Plyometric and Resistance Training Program on Fitness Performance in Boys Age 12 to 15 Years
Avery D. Faigenbaum1,, James E. McFarland2, Fred B. Keiper2, William Tevlin1, Nicholas A. Ratamess1, Jie Kang1, Jay R. Hoffman1
1Department of Health and Exercise Science, The College of New Jersey, 2000 Pennington Road, Ewing, NJ 08628 USA
2Physical Education Department, Hillsborough High School, 466 Raider Blvd. Hillsborough, NJ 08844 USA

Avery D. Faigenbaum
✉ Department of Health and Exercise Science, The College of New Jersey, 2000 Pennington Road, Ewing, NJ 08628 USA
Email: faigenba@tcnj.edu
Received: 19-03-2007 -- Accepted: 19-09-2007
Published (online): 01-12-2007

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a six week training period of combined plyometric and resistance training (PRT, n = 13) or resistance training alone (RT, n = 14) on fitness performance in boys (12-15 yr). The RT group performed static stretching exercises followed by resistance training whereas the PRT group performed plyometric exercises followed by the same resistance training program. The training duration per session for both groups was 90 min. At baseline and after training all participants were tested on the vertical jump, long jump, medicine ball toss, 9.1 m sprint, pro agility shuttle run and flexibility. The PRT group made significantly (p < 0.05) greater improvements than RT in long jump (10.8 cm vs. 2.2 cm), medicine ball toss (39.1 cm vs. 17.7 cm) and pro agility shuttle run time (-0.23 sec vs. -0.02 sec) following training. These findings suggest that the addition of plyometric training to a resistance training program may be more beneficial than resistance training and static stretching for enhancing selected measures of upper and lower body power in boys.

Key words: Adolescent, strength training, power, stretch-shortening cycle

Key Points
  • Youth conditioning programs which include different types of training and different loading schemes (e.g., high velocity plyometrics and resistance training) may be most effective for enhancing power performance.
  • The effects of resistance training and plyometric training may be synergistic in children, with their combined effects being greater that each program performed alone.








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