Evaluation of Plyometric Exercise Training, Weight Training, and Their Combination on Vertical Jumping Performance and Leg Strength

Anthropometric characteristics and physical performance are closely related to the game demands of each playing position. This study aimed to first examine the differences between playing positions in anthropometric characteristics and physical performance with special emphasis on the isokinetic strength of elite male handball players, and secondly to examine the correlations of the latter variables with ball velocity. Anthropometric characteristics, maximal isokinetic strength, sprinting and vertical jumping performance, and ball velocity in the set shot and jump shot were obtained from 93 elite handball players (age 22 ± 5 years, height 184 ± 8 cm, and weight 84 ± 14 kg) pre-season. Wing players were shorter compared to other players, and pivots were the heaviest. Wings had the fastest 20 m sprints, and, along with backcourt players, jumped higher, had better maximal knee isometric strength, and achieved the highest ball velocity compared to pivots and goalkeepers, respectively. There were no significant differences between playing positions in unilateral and bilateral maximal leg strength imbalances. Ball velocity was significantly correlated with height, weight, squat jump and maximal torque of extensors and flexors. Our study suggest that shooting success is largely determined by the player’s height, weight, muscle strength and power, while it seems that anthropometric characteristics and physical performance are closely related to the game demands of each playing position.

Download Full-text

Testosterone and exercise: Effects on fitness, body composition and strength in middle-to-older aged men with low-normal serum testosterone levels.

AJP Heart and Circulatory Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpheart.00010.2021 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lauren C. Chasland ◽

Bu B Yeap ◽

Andrew J. Maiorana ◽

Yi X Chan ◽

Barbara A Maslen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Exercise Training ◽

Aerobic Capacity ◽

Lean Mass ◽

Visceral Fat ◽

Serum Testosterone ◽

Normal Serum ◽

Testosterone Treatment ◽

Leg Strength ◽

Therapeutic Doses

As men age, serum testosterone (T) concentrations decrease, as do fitness, strength and lean mass. Whether testosterone treatment confers additive benefit to reverse these changes when combined with exercise training in middle-to-older aged men remains unclear. We assessed the effects of T treatment and exercise, alone and in combination, on aerobic capacity (VO2peak), body composition and muscular strength in men 50-70yrs, waist circumference ≥95cm and low-normal serum T (6-14nmol·L−1). Participants (n=80) were randomised to AndroForte5® (Testosterone 5.0%w/v, 100mg/2mL) cream (T), or matching placebo (P), applied transdermally daily, and supervised centre-based exercise (Ex) or no additional exercise (NEx), for 12-weeks. Exercise increased VO2peak and strength vs non-exercise (VO2peak: T+Ex:+2.5, P+Ex:+3.2mL·kg−1·min−1, P<0.001; leg press: T+Ex:+31, P+Ex:+24kg, P=0.006). T treatment did not affect VO2peak or strength. Exercise decreased total (T+Ex:-1.7, P+Ex-2.3kg, P<0.001) and visceral fat (T+Ex:-0.1, P+Ex:-0.3kg, P=0.003), and increased total (T+Ex:+1.4, P+Ex:+0.7kg, P=0.008) and arm lean mass (T+Ex:+0.5, P+Ex:+0.3kg, P=0.024). T treatment did not affect total or visceral fat, but increased total (T+Ex:+1.4, T+NEx:+0.7kg, P=0.015), leg (T+Ex:+0.3, T+NEx:+0.2kg, P=0.024) and arm lean mass (T+Ex:+0.5, T+NEx:+0.2kg, P=0.046). T+Ex increased arm lean mass (T+Ex:+0.5kg vs P+NEx:-0.0kg, P=0.001) and leg strength (T+Ex:+31 vs P+NEx:+12kg, P=0.032) compared to P+NEx, with no other additive effects. Exercise training was more effective than T treatment in increasing aerobic capacity and decreasing total and visceral fat mass. T treatment at therapeutic doses increased lean mass but conferred limited additional benefit when combined with exercise. Exercise should be evaluated as an anti-ageing intervention in preference to testosterone treatment in men.

Download Full-text