Effects of weight training on power performance

Introduction: Harris et al. declared that some researchers claim the use of 80% of 1RM is recommended to improve power characteristics, while others suggest 50-60% of 1RM and below. Kawamori and Haffagreed with Harris et al., stating that there is inconsistency in the optimal load to produce the highest power. They claimed that some studies that used untrained subjects, single joint exercises, and upper-body exercises reported 30-45% of 1RM, while others using trained subjects, multi-joint exercises, and lower-body exercises reported 30-70% of 1RM. Method: The purpose of the study was to find out the effect of weight training in the developing the power performance among 20 students between 16 to 18 years of age enrolled for physical education course for the academic year 2010, were selected as subjects. Pre and post test was conducted for the group on 1RM of squats, bench press and dead lift. 45 minutes weight training program, twice a week, for 12 weeks was given to the subjects. The statistical tools used were mean, SD, and 't' -test. Results & Discussion: The analysis of the data reveals that the subjects with the training have shown improvement in the performance of squats from pre to post test with the mean and S.D being (76.00, 26.59) and (93.75, 27.19) respectively. The improvement is quite encouraging and highly significant (p<0.0001). With regard to bench press exercise of the subjects the mean and S.D in the pre and post test were (53.00, 23.14) and (70.25, 23.37). The data clearly speaks of an improved performance from pre to post scores of the students which is highly significant at (p<0.0001). The mean and S.D in the pre and post test were (104.00, 28.31) and (135.00, 24.97) respectively with respect to dead lift exercise. There is an increase in the power of the students which is encouraging and highly significant with (p<0.0001). Conclusions: It is concluded from this study, that there was a marked improvement in the performance of the students in power exercises among all the events from pre to post test, which is quite significant.