Affiliations: [a] Sport Training Laboratory, Faculty of Sport Sciences,
University of Castilla La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
Note: [] Address for correspendence: Daniel Juárez
Santos-García, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Avenida Carlos III s/n, 45071
Toledo, Spain. Tel.: +34 925 268800 ext (5526); Fax: +34 925 268846; E-mail:
djuarezsg@yahoo.es
Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate and to compare the effects of
a complex training program and a conventional training program, on power and
strength development in sport science students. Sixteen undergraduates were
randomly divided into two equivalent groups: Complex Training Group (CPG;
n=8) and Conventional Training Group (CVG, n=8), both of which completed a similar volume and
intensity of training. CPG combined maximum strength exercises with power
exercises using the complex training method. Subjects comprising the CVG group
performed similarly to their CPG counterparts in the first four weeks and the
equivalent power training during the second half of the program. Both programs
produced gains in the weight lifted (p<0.01) 1RM back squat
and the Squat Jump (p< 0.01). CPG subjects achieved gains in
Maximum Strength, the Counter Movement Jump (p< 0.01), and
10, 15 and 20-m runs (p< 0.05) whereas CVG subjects achieved
improvements in the 5-m run (p< 0.05). After detraining, CPG
subjects experienced a decline in the Counter Movement Jump and in the 10-m run
(p< 0.05). Complex and non-complex training programs in
untrained subjects may increase the power and maximum strength, and generally
result in improvement of these parameters without any one program showing
appreciable advantages over the other.
