Effects of complex training on physical performance in elite modern pentathletes during precompetition periods

This study compared the effects of complex training (CT) versus resistance training (RT) on agility, strength and power in elite modern pentathletes during precompetition periods. Ten male modern pentathletes from the Chinese national team participated. They first completed the RT mesocycles (eight weeks), followed by the CT mesocycles (eight weeks), with detraining microcycle (two weeks) in between for rest. Agility (three-cone test, TCT), strength (one-repetition maximum back squat, 1RM-BS; isometric mid-thigh pull peak force, IMTP), and power (counter-movement jump, CMJ; reaction strength index, RSI) performance were assessed at four time points: before RT (T0), at the end of RT (T1), before CT (T2) and at the end of CT (T3). The results revealed that the TCT improved significantly from T2 to T3 (p = 0.006), with a significant difference between T3 and T1 (p = 0.002), but no significant improvement was observed from T0 to T1 (p = 0.383). The 1RM-BS and IMTP improved significantly from T0 to T1 (p < 0.001, p = 0.006), from T2 to T3 (all p < 0.001), and T3 was significantly improved compared to T1 (all p < 0.001). CMJ and RSI also showed significant improvements from T0 to T1 (p = 0.002, p = 0.015), from T2 to T3 (p < 0.001, p = 0.015), and T3 was significantly better than T1 (p = 0.001, p = 0.037). These findings indicate that greater improvements in agility, strength, and power were observed during the CT mesocycle compared with the RT mesocycle in elite modern pentathletes during the precompetition period.