Effect of Concurrent Training on Selected Physical Fitness of Male Middle Distance Runners

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of concurrent training on cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility and speed on male middle distance runners. The study employed experimental research design. All 26 Awuscod male middle distance runners were taken with EG and CG and divided randomly into two equal groups. Both the (EG= 13) and (CG= 13) had taken PT and POT of 12-minute run test, sit-reach test, and 30 meter acceleration test to assess cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility and speed respectively.EG participated in additional 10 weeks concurrent interventions. While, the CG continued with their usual training The data collected from the study subject were analyzed using SPSS version 25 software by using descriptive statistics (mean and SD) and inferential statistics (paired t-test and independent t-test) with level of significant 0.05. The results showed concurrent training has significantly improved cardiorespiratory endurance and speed on EG (p<0.05). But no significant difference was observed in flexibility. Furthermore, no more significant differences were found in all of the variables in CG (p>0.05). Based on this finding, it can be concluded that concurrent training has a positive impact on the improvement of cardiorespiratory endurance and speed. Therefore, concurrent training is suggested for middle distance runners to improve physical fitness for athletic performance.