Marta, C, Alves, AR, Casanova, N, Neiva, HP, Marinho, D, Izquierdo, M, Nunes, C, and Marques, MC. Suspension vs. plyometric training in children's explosive strength. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2021-The aim of this study was to compare the effects of different training programs, that is, 8 weeks of suspension training (ST) or plyometric training (PT), on measures of strength and power in untrained healthy children. One hundred eighteen children (57 boys and 61 girls) aged 10-11 years (mean ± SD: 10.84 ± 0.46 years) were randomly assigned into PT (19 boys and 22 girls), ST (20 boys and 18 girls), and control (CT) (18 boys and 21 girls; no training program) group. Experimental groups were trained twice a week for 8 weeks. Countermovement jump, standing long jump, medicine ball throw, and 20-m sprint were measured at baseline and after intervention. The results showed a significant group effect on training-induced responses (F = 10.26; p < 0.01; ηp2 = 0.33), with clear improvements from pre- to posttraining in PT and ST. Regardless of training group, no differences were found in boys and girls (F = 0.70; p = 0.62; ηp2 = 0.03). After 8 weeks of training, PT and ST showed increased performances in 1-kg (mean ± CI 95%; 0.18 ± 0.05 and 0.19 ± 0.05 m) and 3-kg (0.12 ± 0.08 and 0.12 ± 0.09 m) medicine ball throws and 20-m sprints (-0.08 ± 0.03 s and -0.04 ± 0.04 s) compared with CT (p < 0.05; d > 0.60). Standing long jump was significantly increased after ST when compared with CT (0.07 ± 0.04 m; p < 0.01; d = 0.88). Plyometric training showed higher improvements than ST in sprint (0.04 ± 0.03; p = 0.01; d = 0.71). It is suggested that 8 weeks of ST or PT seems to be effective to improve strength- and power-related variables in healthy untrained children. These could be considered as alternatives to traditional resistance training and be applied in school-based programs.
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