CHANGES IN MUSCLE STRENGTH AND ANAEROBIC PERFORMANCE FOLLOWING ELASTIC BAND TRAINING IN YOUTH WRESTLERS

Abstract

To investigate the effects of elastic band training on physical performance including muscle strength, anaerobic performance (peak power, PP and average power, AP) and blood lactate concentration in youth wrestlers. Twenty Thai male wrestlers participated and were randomly divided into 2 groups: routine training with additional elastic band training (RET, n=10) and routine training without additional elastic band training (RT, n=10) with mean ages of 15.1 ±0.45 and 15.2 ±0.42 years, respectively. Both RT and RET groups routinely trained for their wrestling program 3 times per day for  6 days per week whereas RET group additionally worked out with progressive elastic band training for 1 hour once a day after daily routine training. Data were collected continuously for 3 months on a monthly basis, for 2 consecutive days. Day one, anthropometry were collected in the morning. Then, all participants performed Wingate testing. In the morning and afternoon on day two, blood lactate concentration and muscle strength were collected. Results showed that muscle strength of upper extremities including triceps brachii and middle deltoid for both RT and RET for both right and left sides did not change from training. Muscle strength of biceps brachii and anterior deltoid showed decline in RET, whereas the strength of both wrist flexor and extensor significantly increased for both RT and RET for right and left sides (p< 0.05). For lower limbs, muscle strength improvement was found only in left quadriceps in RET (p< 0.05) whereas hamstring muscle strength significantly increased for both right and left sides in RT group (p< 0.05). Higher PP and AP showed only in RET. Blood lactate levels were similar in both groups after training. In conclusion, elastic band training, when added into a routine training program,improved muscle strength of quadriceps and hamstring as well as anaerobic performance of lower limbs. Strength of muscles around the wrist improves regardless of whether elastic band training was involved or not. Biochemical responses were not affected by elastic band training. This training tool may be selectively prescribed for particular muscles in youth wrestlers.

(Journal of Sports Science and Technology 2016; 16(2) : 34-44 )

Keywords: Band/ Wrestling/ Strength