Effect of Eight Weeks Combined Strength and Plyometric Training on Land in Performances of Immature Male Swimmers

  There is clear evidence that resistance training can be a worthwhile and beneficial activity for children. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of eight weeks combined strength and plyometric training on land in performances of 9-12 years old male swimmers. Our participants
include; 20 boys with mean age, height and weight of 11.36±0.85 yr, 148.38±7.45 cm and 42.05±7.51 kg respectively. Our sample was selected by purposefully non-random method then randomly divided to experimental and control group. Training program of control group was limited to swimming practice sessions while; the experimental group in addition to swimming training sessions, they conducted strength and plyometric training two days weekly for eight weeks. The strength and plyometric exercises include: bench press, leg extension, vertical jump, depth jump and medicine ball throwing. Physical and performance variables were measured at the beginning and at the end of the training period. The data were analyzed using SPSS (version 16) with Descriptive Statistics, Wilcoxon and Mann- Whitney U tests. After 8 weeks of
training, in the experimental group, strength, muscular power, swimming performance and propulsive force in front crawl swimming significantly increased (p <0.05). In the control group, strength bench press and propulsive force in front crawl swimming significantly increased (p <0.05). Significant differences in strength, muscular power and swimming performance in 25 m front crawl between experimental and control groups were also observed (p <0.05). A combined strength and plyometric training allow strength and muscular power developments in young male swimmers. Although swimming performance improvement in 25 m front crawl due to strength training was noticeable but these current results do not clarify that these training programs can enhance swimming performance and propulsive force.