Comparison of Anaerobic Power between Weight Sled Resistance and Interval Trainings in Thai Athletes

Abstract

Various training techniques have been used for the development of anaerobic peak power in athletes including weight sled resistance or interval trainings. However, the effects of both trainings on anaerobic power were inconclusive. Moreover, no previous studies have compared between the two training. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of difference training programs; weight sled resistance training and interval training, on anaerobic peak power. METHODS: Sixteen males, age range of 18 to 22 years, were randomly assigned either to weight sled resistance training group (WR) or interval training group (IT). In WR, an exercise training program consisted of 4×20 m maximal runs with 3-4 min rest followed by 4×50 m maximal runs with 6-8 min rest. Load of training started with 10% of body weight (BW) during the first phase (the 1st - 4th weeks) and 15% of BW during the second phase (the 5th - 8th week). In IT, a training program consisted of 10-s maximum-effort intervals with the flywheel tension at 0.075 Kp/Kg BW and cycling 50 s of rest between repetitions. The training began with 6 repetitions × 2session, with 6-8 min rest per session for the first phase and 8 repetitions × 2 sessions, with 6-8 min rest per session between the second phase. Both WR and IT were trained 3 times/week for 8 weeks. Independent-t-test were used to compare anaerobic peak power between groups and dependent t-test were used to compare anaerobic peak power between pre and post tests of each group. RESULTS: No significant difference of anaerobic peak power test between groups were found (p = 0.47). Weight sled resistance training within group showed that no significant difference (8.06 ± 0.41 vs. 8.36 ± 0.48 W.kg-1) (p = 0.28). Interval training within group that no significant difference (7.71 ± 0.36 vs. 8.32 ± 0.44 W.kg-1) (p = 0.082). CONCLUSIONS: The improvement of anaerobic peak power was tendency to develop both weight sled resistance and interval trainings. The characteristic of training may be similarly both weight sled resistance and interval training.