Effects of three 8-week strength training programs on jump, speed and agility performance in prepubertal children

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Jaimes, Diego A.R.^a | Petro, Jorge L.^{b; c} | Bonilla, Diego A.^{b; c} | Cárdenas, Johanny G.^d | Duarte, Ailin O.^e | Contreras, Dennis^{f; *}

Affiliations: [a] Physical Education, Recreation and Sports Department, University of San Buenaventura, Bello, Colombia | [b] Research Group in Physical Activity, Sports and Health Sciences, University de Córdoba, Monteria, Colombia | [c] Research Division, DBSS International SAS, Bogotá, Colombia | [d] Emilio Valenzuela College Foundation, Colombia | [e] System Engineering Department, University of Pamplona, Pamplona, Colombia | [f] Physical Education, Recreation and Sports Department, University of Pamplona, Pamplona, Colombia

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Dennis Contreras, Physical Education, Recreation and Sports Department, University of Pamplona, Kilómetro 1 Campus Universitario, Pamplona 543050, Colombia. E-mail: denniscontreras150@gmail.com.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Supervised strength training has been shown to promote physiological adaptations in children and youth that can be beneficial to the process of physical growth and developed, and general health status. METHODS: Sixty-three children (9.2 ± 0.5 years old) were randomly assigned to training groups: multi jumps (MJ) (n= 20), sled towing (ST) (n= 21), or uphill running (UR) (n= 22). The following tests were applied before and after each intervention: vertical jump (ABK, CMJ, SJ), standing broad jump (SBJ), velocity/agility 4 × 10 m, and 20 m sprint test (ST20m). RESULTS: After 8 weeks of training, statistically significant changes were found in all study variables for all groups, but with different effect sizes. In the ABK jump, the largest effect size was observed in UR (1.40, 0.97–1.85), while in ST and MJ it was medium (0.67, 0.44–0.98 and 0.48, 0.17–0.82, respectively). Similarly, the effect size in the SJ jump was large for the UR and ST groups (1.10, 0.78–1.51 and 1.30, 0.98–1.64, respectively) and medium in MJ (0.56, 0.24–0.97). However, the magnitude of the effect registered in SBJ was large in MJ (0.80, 0.55–1.15) and medium in UR and ST (0.56, 0.32–0.86 and 0.64, 0.42–1.013, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: All three training programs improve jumping and velocity/agility performance but based on clinical significance, UR and ST methods can be considered more efficient to improve physical performance in children.

Keywords: Exercise training, muscle strength, plyometric exercise, physical education and training

DOI: 10.3233/IES-210117

Journal: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 157-166, 2022