Effects of weight training on power performance

Introduction: Harris et al. declared that some researchers claim the use of 80% of 1RM is recommended toimprove power characteristics, while others suggest 50-60% of 1RM and below. Kawamori and Haff agreed withHarris et al., stating that there is inconsistency in the optimal load to produce the highest power. They claimedthat some studies that used untrained subjects, single joint exercises, and upper-body exercises reported 30-45%of 1RM, while others using trained subjects, multi-joint exercises, and lower-body exercises reported 30-70% of1RM.Method: The purpose of the study was to find out the effect of weight training in the developing the powerperformance among 20 students between 16 to 18 years of age enrolled for physical education course for theacademic year 2010, were selected as subjects. Pre and post test was conducted for the group on 1RM of squats,bench press and dead lift. 45 minutes weight training program, twice a week, for 12 weeks was given to thesubjects. The statistical tools used were mean, SD, and ‘t’ –test.Results & Discussion: The analysis of the data reveals that the subjects with the training have shownimprovement in the performance of squats from pre to post test with the mean and S.D being (76.00, 26.59) and(93.75, 27.19) respectively. The improvement is quite encouraging and highly significant (p<0.0001).With regard to bench press exercise of the subjects the mean and S.D in the pre and post test were (53.00, 23.14)and (70.25, 23.37). The data clearly speaks of an improved performance from pre to post scores of the studentswhich is highly significant at (p<0.0001). The mean and S.D in the pre and post test were (104.00, 28.31) and(135.00, 24.97) respectively with respect to dead lift exercise. There is an increase in the power of the studentswhich is encouraging and highly significant with (p<0.0001).Conclusions: It is concluded from this study, that there was a marked improvement in the performance of thestudents in power exercises among all the events from pre to post test, which is quite significant.