| 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.
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