The aim of the present study was to examine how explosive strength, kicking speed, and body composition are affected by a 12-week plyometric training program in elite female soccer players. The hypothesis was that this program would increase the jumping ability and kicking speed and that these gains could be maintained by means of regular soccer training only. Twenty adult female players were divided into 2 groups: control group (CG, n = 10, age 23.0 +/- 3.2 yr) and plyometric group (PG, n = 10; age 22.8 +/- 2.1 yr). The intervention was carried out during the second part of the competitive season. Both groups performed technical and tactical training exercises and matches together. However, the CG followed the regular soccer physical conditioning program, which was replaced by a plyometric program for PG. Neither CG nor PG performed weight training. Plyometric training took place 3 days a week for 12 weeks including jumps over hurdles, drop jumps (DJ) in stands, or horizontal jumps. Body mass, body composition, countermovement jump height, DJ height, and kicking speed were measured on 4 separate occasions. The PG demonstrated significant increases (p < 0.05) in jumping ability after 6 weeks of training and in kicking speed after 12 weeks. There were no significant time x group interaction effects for body composition. It could be concluded that a 12-week plyometric program can improve explosive strength in female soccer players and that these improvements can be transferred to soccer kick performance in terms of ball speed. However, players need time to transfer these improvements in strength to the specific task. Regular soccer training can maintain the improvements from a plyometric training program for several weeks.

Much recent attention has been given to the compatibility of combined aerobic and anaerobic training modalities. However, few of these studies have reported data related to well-trained runners, which is a potential limitation. Therefore, because of the limited evidence available for this population, the main aim was to determine which mode of concurrent strength-endurance training might be the most effective at improving running performance in highly trained runners. Eighteen well-trained male runners (age 23.7 ± 1.2 years) with a maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) more than 65 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1) were randomly assigned into 1 of the 3 groups: Endurance-only Group (n = 6), who continued their usual training, which included general strength training with Thera-band latex-free exercise bands and endurance training; Strength Group (SG; n = 6) who performed combined resistance and plyometric exercises and endurance training; Endurance-SG (ESG; n = 6) who performed endurance-strength training with loads of 40% and endurance training. The study comprised 12 weeks of training in which runners trained 8 times a week (6 endurance and 2 strength sessions) and 5 weeks of detraining. The subjects were tested on 3 different occasions (countermovement jump height, hopping test average height, 1 repetition maximum, running economy (RE), VO2max, maximal heart rate [HRmax], peak velocity (PV), rating of perceived exertion, and 3-km time trial were measured). Findings revealed significant time × group interaction effects for almost all tests (p < 0.05). We can conclude that concurrent training for both SG and ESG groups led to improved maximal strength, RE, and PV with no significant effects on the VO2 kinetics pattern. The SG group also seems to show improvements in 3-km time trial tests.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an 18-week strength training program on variables related to low-handicap golfers' performance. Ten right-handed male golfers, reporting a handicap of 5 or less, were randomly divided into two groups: the control group (CG) (N = 5, age: 23.9 ± 6.7 years) and the treatment group (TG) (N = 5, age: 24.2 ± 5.4 years). CG players followed the standard physical conditioning program for golf, which was partially modified for the TG. The TG participated in an 18-week strength training program divided into three parts: maximal strength training including weightlifting exercises (2 days a week for 6 weeks), explosive strength training with combined weights and plyometric exercises (2 days a week for 6 weeks), and golf-specific strength training, including swings with a weighted club and accelerated swings with an acceleration tubing system (3 days a week for 6 weeks). Body mass, body fat, muscle mass, jumping ability, isometric grip strength, maximal strength (RM), ball speed, and golf club mean acceleration were measured on five separate occasions. The TG demonstrated significant increases (p < 0.05) in maximal and explosive strength after 6 weeks of training and in driving performance after 12 weeks. These improvements remained unaltered during the 6-week golf-specific training period and even during a 5-week detraining period. It may be concluded that an 18-week strength training program can improve maximal and explosive strength and these increases can be transferred to driving performance; however, golfers need time to transfer the gains.

El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar las acciones musculares ejecutadas por los escaladores de alto nivel en competición. La muestra del estudio está compuesta por 72 varones (nivel técnico medio "a vista" 7C+/8A) que participaron en las pruebas de Copa de España de Escalada de Dificultad de 2009 y 2010. Se registraron un total de 7.738 movimientos para su análisis. Se ha utilizado un método de observación validado previamente, siendo las variables de estudio: acción, posición corporal, extremidad ejecutante, tiempo empleado, zona temporal, inicio de movimiento, fin de movimiento y movimiento. Los resultados concluyen que los grupos musculares más importantes para los escaladores de alto nivel son, además de los músculos flexores del tronco, los extensores, aductores y extensores horizontales del hombro, los flexores y pronadores del codo, los extensores, aductores, abductores, rotadores internos y rotadores externos de la cadera y los extensores de rodilla. Ahora bien, el tipo de contracción muscular realizada por cada uno de ellos, dependerá del movimiento requerido. La información aquí presentada puede resultar de gran utilidad a la hora de planificar programas de entrenamiento más personalizados que mejoren el rendimiento del escalador.Palabras clave: escalada deportiva; metodología observacional; técnica; acción muscular. R e s u m e nCorrespondencia/correspondence: Ana María de Benito Trigueros Departamento de Educación Física y Deportiva. Universidad de León. España E-mail: ambent@unileon.esThe purpose of the current study was to analyse the muscular contractions carried out by the high level climbers in competition. The sample studied was made up of 72 male subjects ("on sight"-level 5.12c/5.13a) who participated in the Spanish Climbing Cup of 2009 and 2010. 7738 movements were registered to analyse them. The observational model used was designed and validated through a previous study. Answer levels were: action, corporal position, limb, time, time zone, start of movement, end of movement and movement. The results obtained establish that the most important muscles for high level climbers are, apart from abdominal muscles, extensors, adductors and horizontal extensors' muscles of the shoulder, flexors and rotators' muscles of the elbow, extensors, adductors, abductors, internal and external rotators' muscles of the hip and extensors' muscles of the knee. However, the type of the muscular contraction generated depends on the type of the movement required. The information given might be useful to plan more personalized training programs in order to improve the climber's performance.Key words: sport climbing; observational methodology; technique; muscular contraction. A b s t r a c t Recibido el 7 de mayo de 2012; Aceptado el 12 de enero de 2013http://dx