Abstract:
At present, it has been fairly well established that under a well supervised program preadolescents can significantly increase their strength with a minimum risk of injury. Limited research has also pointed toward an improvement in motor performance involving strength, speed, power and endurance. The effects of weight training on standard tests of physical fitness, however, has not been clearly established. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a weight training program on the results of six standard physical fitness exercises: pull ups, flexed arm hang, standing long jump, phantom chair and shuttle run. Fifteen preadolescents with a mean ± SD age, height, and weight of 13.1 ± 0.5 yrs., 164.6 ± 8.5 cm, and 56.2 ± 16.1 kg, respectively, participated as control subjects in the study. Fifteen preadolescents with a mean ± SD age, height, and weight of 13.4 ± 0.7 yrs, 164.1 ± 10.4 cm, and 57.0 ± 18.3 kg, respectively, participated as experimental subjects in this study. Both groups were pretested on the six standard physical fitness exercises. Afterward, the experimental group began the three-day-a-week strength training program, alternating a physical education class throughout the study. The control group participated in physical education classes for five days a week for the entire study. Following the nine week strength training program, both groups were tested again on the same physical fitness exercises. Data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the mean difference between the two groups on the test measures. It was concluded that strength gained from progressive resistance weight training has no significant positive effect on physical fitness motor skills of preadolescents.