The effect of a complex training and detraining programme on selected strength and power variables in early pubertal boys

Abstract

Complex training, a combination of resistance training and plyometrics is growing in popularity, despite limited support for its efficacy. In pre- and early pubertal children, the study of complex training has been limited, and to our knowledge an examination of its effect on anaerobic performance characteristics of the upper and lower body has not been undertaken. Furthermore, the effect of detraining after complex training requires clarification. The physical characteristics (mean+/-s) of the 54 male participants in the present study were as follows: age 12.3 +/- 0.3 years, height 1.57 +/- 0.07 m, body mass 50.3 +/- 11.0 kg. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental (n = 33) or control group (n = 21). The training, which was performed three times a week for 12 weeks, included a combination of dynamic constant external resistance and plyometrics. After training, participants completed 12 weeks of detraining. At baseline, after training and after detraining, peak and mean anaerobic power, dynamic strength and athletic performance were assessed. Twenty-six participants completed the training and none reported any training-related injury. Complex training was associated with small increases (< or =5.5%) in peak and mean power during training, followed by decreases of a similar magnitude (< or = -5.9%) during detraining (P < 0.05). No changes or minor, progressive increases (< or =1.5%) were evident in the control group (P > 0.05). In the experimental group, dynamic strength was increased by 24.3 - 71.4% (dependent on muscle group; P < 0.01), whereas growth-related changes in the control group varied from 0 to 4.4% (P > 0.05). For 40-m sprint running, basketball chest pass and vertical jump test performance, the experimental group saw a small improvement (< or =4.0%) after training followed by a decline (< or = -4.4%) towards baseline during detraining (P < 0.05), whereas the control group experienced no change (P > 0.05). In conclusion, in pre- and early pubertal boys, upper and lower body complex training is a time-effective and safe training modality that confers small improvements in anaerobic power and jumping, throwing and sprinting performance, and marked improvements in dynamic strength. However, after detraining, the benefits of complex training are lost at similar rates to other training modalities.

Effects of a daily school based physical activity intervention program on muscle development in prepubertal girls

“…Despite reports that resistance and/or general physical training can enhance muscle strength in children, there are conflicting reports as to whether these benefits translate into improvements in other physical performance tasks (athletic performance, VJH, long jump, sprint speed) (Faigenbaum et al 1999;Ingle et al 2006;Lillegard et al 1997;Weltman et al 1986). When we examined the effect of the intervention on VJH in the girls, there was a marked improvement in the exercise relative to control group (12.5 versus 3.2% per year), but the between group difference did not persist after adjusting for baseline age and VJH and organised physical activity outside of school at follow-up [mean adjusted difference, 4.1% (95% CI: -3.7, 12.0)].…”

Relationships between anthropometric features, body composition, and anaerobic alactic power in elite post-pubertal and mature male taekwondo athletes

“…Increased SMM in group M may also explain the significant between-group differences in P max and other AAP variables found in our study. Strength and power development during puberty is known to be influenced by the linear increase of skeletal muscle size and mass [5,[36][37][38]. Even a slight increase in SMM in males before puberty can raise their work efficiency [39].…”

Importance Of Pilot Study And Data Quality Control In Designing Complex Training Programs For Young Athletes

“…Some tests which are considered challenging task for subjects such as 1RM test and the Wingate anaerobic test were found to be feasible for young male Thai athletes. The Wingate anaerobic test has also been used to measure anaerobic power from effect of complex training program on early pubescent boys [11]. Likewise, 1RM protocol was also used to measure maximum strength in adolescent soccer players before and after 16 weeks of resistance training program [4].…”

“…The training programs for this study were based on available data sources [4,11,13,24,25] that used both children and adolescents who were either non-athletes or athletes. As our resistance training programs were predominantly designed to evaluate how young Thai male athletes respond to the program, subjective information revealed that young Thai male athletes were highly capable of performing all exercise routines throughout the two weeks of study.…”

“…Complex training is best described as a strength and power training method that combines resistance and plyometric training in the same training session [9,10]. Available information demonstrates the positive effect of complex training on strength and physical performance in pre pubertal boys [11] and explosive strength and sprint performance when combined with routine training in young athletes [12,13].…”