Short-Term Effects of Resistance Training Modalities on Performance Measures in Male Adolescents

Winwood, PW and Buckley, JJ. Short-term effects of resistance training modalities on performance measures in male adolescents. J Strength Cond Res 33(3): 641-650, 2019-This study compared the effects of 7 weeks of bodyweight, mobility, and resistance training programs on strength, power, and sprint times. Thirty-nine male adolescents (aged 14-15 years) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: bodyweight and mobility training (BMT) (n = 25) or combined bodyweight, mobility, and free-weights training (CBT) (n = 14). A physical education class (n = 23) of similar age constituted a control group (CON). Both training groups performed 2 BMT sessions per week, and the CBT group performed 2 additional free-weight resistance exercise training sessions. Pretesting and posttesting consisted of vertical and horizontal jump tests, 5- and 20-m sprint tests, 2-kg medicine ball throw test, and maximal number of press ups. Small significant improvements (p ≤ 0.01) between pre-post measures were observed in the CBT group for 20 m (↑2.4%; effect size [ES] = -0.45) sprint time and horizontal jump distance (↑4.2%; ES = 0.43). No significant differences existed between the groups when the mean changes were compared. Effect sizes demonstrated training improvements were in favor of the CBT group (for sprint times, horizontal jump distance, and maximal press ups; ES = 0.35 to -1.35) compared with the BMT and CON groups and in favor of the BMT group (for sprint times and horizontal jump distance; ES = -0.33 to 0.34) compared with the CON group. Seven weeks of BMT and CBT can be beneficial for the development of physical performance capacities in untrained male adolescents. Increased training frequency with the addition of free weights provided the greatest training effects.