Plyometric and Resistance Training: A Dual Approach to Enhance Physical Fitness in 12–15-Year-Old Girls

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an 8-week combined plyometric and resistance training program on the physical fitness (PF) of adolescent girls aged 12 to 15 years. The objective was to determine whether combined training (CT) would yield greater improvements in per...

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Main Author: Tanja Petrušič
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Physiologia
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9488/4/4/23
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author Tanja Petrušič
author_facet Tanja Petrušič
author_sort Tanja Petrušič
collection DOAJ
description Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an 8-week combined plyometric and resistance training program on the physical fitness (PF) of adolescent girls aged 12 to 15 years. The objective was to determine whether combined training (CT) would yield greater improvements in performance measures compared to resistance training (RT) alone. Methods: Forty-seven adolescent girls were randomly assigned to either the CT group or the RT group. Performance measures such as the 20 m sprint, squat jump, vertical jump, handgrip strength, and flexibility (sit and reach test) were assessed before and after the 8-week intervention. Changes in these measures were analyzed to compare the effects of the two training approaches. Results: The CT group showed a significant reduction in sprint time (−6.5%) compared to the RT group (−4.1%), although the difference was not statistically significant. Squat jump height improved significantly by 5.6% in the CT group compared to 1.1% in the RT group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Similarly, vertical jump height increased by 6.7% in the CT group and by 2.4% in the RT group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Handgrip strength improved by 7.5% in the CT group and 4.6% in the RT group, with no significant differences between the groups. Flexibility showed slight, non-significant improvements in both groups. Conclusions: The findings suggest that a combined plyometric and RT program is more effective in enhancing explosive power, specifically squat and vertical jump performance, in adolescent girls compared to RT alone. These results highlight the potential of CT programs for improving overall physical performance in this population.
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spelling doaj-art-2e6284601df9475e8e2e2a92ae2fa89c2025-08-20T02:56:58ZengMDPI AGPhysiologia2673-94882024-10-014437338610.3390/physiologia4040023Plyometric and Resistance Training: A Dual Approach to Enhance Physical Fitness in 12–15-Year-Old GirlsTanja Petrušič0Faculty of Education, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaBackground/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an 8-week combined plyometric and resistance training program on the physical fitness (PF) of adolescent girls aged 12 to 15 years. The objective was to determine whether combined training (CT) would yield greater improvements in performance measures compared to resistance training (RT) alone. Methods: Forty-seven adolescent girls were randomly assigned to either the CT group or the RT group. Performance measures such as the 20 m sprint, squat jump, vertical jump, handgrip strength, and flexibility (sit and reach test) were assessed before and after the 8-week intervention. Changes in these measures were analyzed to compare the effects of the two training approaches. Results: The CT group showed a significant reduction in sprint time (−6.5%) compared to the RT group (−4.1%), although the difference was not statistically significant. Squat jump height improved significantly by 5.6% in the CT group compared to 1.1% in the RT group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Similarly, vertical jump height increased by 6.7% in the CT group and by 2.4% in the RT group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Handgrip strength improved by 7.5% in the CT group and 4.6% in the RT group, with no significant differences between the groups. Flexibility showed slight, non-significant improvements in both groups. Conclusions: The findings suggest that a combined plyometric and RT program is more effective in enhancing explosive power, specifically squat and vertical jump performance, in adolescent girls compared to RT alone. These results highlight the potential of CT programs for improving overall physical performance in this population.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9488/4/4/23neuromuscular adaptationsathletic trainingmuscle powerlower limb strengthadolescents
spellingShingle Tanja Petrušič
Plyometric and Resistance Training: A Dual Approach to Enhance Physical Fitness in 12–15-Year-Old Girls
Physiologia
neuromuscular adaptations
athletic training
muscle power
lower limb strength
adolescents
title Plyometric and Resistance Training: A Dual Approach to Enhance Physical Fitness in 12–15-Year-Old Girls
title_full Plyometric and Resistance Training: A Dual Approach to Enhance Physical Fitness in 12–15-Year-Old Girls
title_fullStr Plyometric and Resistance Training: A Dual Approach to Enhance Physical Fitness in 12–15-Year-Old Girls
title_full_unstemmed Plyometric and Resistance Training: A Dual Approach to Enhance Physical Fitness in 12–15-Year-Old Girls
title_short Plyometric and Resistance Training: A Dual Approach to Enhance Physical Fitness in 12–15-Year-Old Girls
title_sort plyometric and resistance training a dual approach to enhance physical fitness in 12 15 year old girls
topic neuromuscular adaptations
athletic training
muscle power
lower limb strength
adolescents
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9488/4/4/23
work_keys_str_mv AT tanjapetrusic plyometricandresistancetrainingadualapproachtoenhancephysicalfitnessin1215yearoldgirls