Effect of combined plyometric-weight training on speed of male students with different body fat percent

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of combined plyometric and resistance training on sprinting performance on males with different body fat percent. Forty participants with BMI 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2, aged between 18-22 years, according to body fat % two groups were formed, group I (n=20) consisted of 6 to 12% and group II (n=20) had 12.1 to 20% fat. Both groups were performed combined plyometric and resistance training 2 days per week, for 6 weeks, 50 minutes of training per session. A pre and post-test were performed on all the participants for measuring sprinting performance regard to 30m, 40m and 50m. For analyzing the data, independent t-test and Paired t-test were utilized. The analysis of data revealed findings of both the groups i.e. participants had shown improved performance in 30m by 5.6% (4.77 ± 0.40 vs. 4.49 ± 0.38 sec; p = 0.000) for group I; and by 6.3% (4.92 ± 0.37 vs. 4.61 ± 0.35 sec; p = 0.000) for group II after training program. In 40m sprint time of group I and II, resulted in significant decrease of 3.7% (5.80 ± 0.32 to 5.58 ± 0.35 sec; p < 0.001) and 5.1% (5.98 ± 0.43 to 5.66 ± 0.47 sec; p < 0.001) respectively. After training, there was significant decrease in 50m sprint time of 3.6% (7.06 ± 0.43 vs. 6.80 ± 0.47 sec; p = 0.000) in group I and 4.9% (7.28 ± 0.40 to 6.92 ± 0.46 sec; p = 0.000) in group II. However, there were no significant differences between groups for any of the speed distances. It was concluded that the effect of combined plyometric and resistance training program showed improve performances in both fat groups with regard to 30m, 40m and 50m sprinting performance.