Effect of Direct Supervision of a Strength Coach on Measures of Muscular Strength and Power in Young Rugby League Players

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Coutts, A.J., A.J. Murphy, and B.J. Dascombe. Effect of direct supervision of a strength coach on measures of muscular strength and power in young rugby league players. J. Strength Cond. Res. 18(2):316-323. 2004.-The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of direct supervision on muscular strength, power, and running speed during 12 weeks of resistance training in young rugby league players. Two matched groups of young (16.7 Ϯ 1.1 years [mean Ϯ SD]), talented rugby league players completed the same periodized resistance-training program in either a supervised (SUP) (N ϭ 21) or an unsupervised (UNSUP) (N ϭ 21) environment. Measures of 3 repetition maximum (3RM) bench press, 3RM squat, maximal chin-ups, vertical jump, 10-and 20-m sprints, and body mass were completed pretest (week 0), midtest (week 6), and posttest (week 12) training program. Results show that 12 weeks of periodized resistance training resulted in an increased body mass, 3RM bench press, 3RM squat, maximum number of chinups, vertical jump height, and 10-and 20-m sprint performance in both groups (p Ͻ 0.05). The SUP group completed significantly more training sessions, which were significantly correlated to strength increases for 3RM bench press and squat (p Ͻ 0.05). Furthermore, the SUP group significantly increased 3RM squat strength (at 6 and 12 weeks) and 3RM bench press strength (12 weeks) when compared to the UNSUP group (p Ͻ 0.05). Finally, the percent increase in the 3RM bench press, 3RM squat, and chin-up max was also significantly greater in the SUP group than in the UNSUP group (p Ͻ 0.05). These findings show that the direct supervision of resistance training in young athletes results in greater training adherence and increased strength gains than does unsupervised training.

iPods—a Surrogate Coach for Junior and Subelite Athletes: New Ideas Based on a Review of the Literature

“…A significant correlation existed between sessions completed and change in strength levels, not surprising considering only 32.5% of prescribed workouts were completed and training intensity reduced by approximately 30% from typical supervised training (3). Even when unsupervised compliance rates and training volume are high, a number of key physiological variables may not improve or even succumb to reversibility if inadequate frequency, volume, or intensity of training takes place.…”

“…It has been suggested that direct supervision increased training intensity and rate of adaptation to a strength program, whereas lack of supervision resulted in inadequate workout quality (3). This increased intensity appears to be facilitated by coaches and enhanced by increased motivation, sense of safety, and competitiveness at training.…”

“…Accordingly, most studies have been performed in the exercise domain, and results are conflicting, primarily because of poor early designs (5,14). It has been suggested that the positive effect of music is essential in compliance with a regular program (22) because listening to music has been associated with the attainment of flow state in aerobic dance exercise (8), it makes exercise more enjoyable, and motivates athletes to keep up with goals (3,9).…”

“…Physiological and performance responses to music have been measured. Listening to fast tempo music increased plasma epinephrine, was associated with increased peak anaerobic power, decreased perceived effort, and resulted in significantly faster sprints in volleyballers and rowers (3,5), whereas slow tempo music decreased epinephrine levels before supramaximal exercise (5). Track sprint performance over 400 m was superior when listening to synchronous music in nonelite performers, providing an ergogenic effect (19).…”

“…This is particularly the case if these initiatives bridge the gap between supervised and unsupervised training, allowing the coach-athlete relationship to be at least partially maintained even when face to face sessions are difficult to achieve. Research evidence indicates that supervised sessions are integral to athlete development (3,13,15) and suggests an ergogenic benefit of music in exercise (1,2,5,6,11,16,18,19,22). With technological advances in music delivery systems and digital editing, digital media and delivery systems for distance coaching should be explored, particularly if they do not result in considerable increase in investment of time or money above current practice.…”