Research Recreation & Physical Activity
THE EFFECT OF COMPLEX TRAINING ON PERFORMANCE INDICES
  Athanasios Chatzinikolaou1, Konstantinos Kallinis1, Christina Avloniti1, Antonis Kampas1, Alexandra Avloniti1, Vassilis Gourgoulis1, Anastasia Beneka1, Ilias Georgiadis1, Ioannis Douroudos1, Ioannis Katrabasas3, Kiriakos Taxildaris1, Athanasios Jamurtas2,4, & Ioannis Fatouros1
1Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Hellas
2Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Hellas
3Unit of Orthopaedics, Asklipieio Hospital at Voula, Athens, Hellas
4Institute of Human Performance & Rehabilitation, Center for Research and Technology –Thessaly, Trikala, Hellas
Published: April 30, 2010
© Inquiries in Sport and Physical Education (2010), 8, 70-79
Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of complex training (combination of plyometrics and multi-joint resistance exercises) on muscle damage and performance indices for 96 hours post-exercise. Participants (young, healthy men) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a) Complex training group with high-intensity resistance exercise(CH, N=8, plyometrics: 100 total foot contacts; resistance exercise: 90% 1RM, 3 sets/exercise of 3 repetitions each), b) Complex training group with low-intensity resistance exercise(CL, N=8, plyometrics: 100 total foot contacts; resistance exercise: 50% 1RM, 3 sets of 8 repetitions each), and c) a control group (C=8). Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), knee range of motion (KROM), thigh circumferences as well as isometric peak torque, squat jump (SQ) and countermovement jump (CJ) were determined at rest, immediately post-exercise as well as 24h, 48h, 72h, and 96h within recovery. CH and CL increased (p<.05) DOMS (peaked at 24h post-exercise), thigh circumference (peaked at 24h post-exercise) while decreased (p<.05) KROM compared to resting values. The two exercise groups induced a marked (p<.05) decline in SQ (by 20% approximately at 24 h post exercise and remained below basal values throughout recovery in both groups) and CJ (until 48h in CH and until 24h in CL) compared to resting values and the C group. Isometric strength declined (p< .05) for both exercise groups until 24h of recovery and returned to baseline thereafter. The results of this investigation suggest that performing an acute bout of complex training may induce transient muscle damage and marked performance deterioration for as long as 24-72h in an intensity dependent manner.

Key words: plyometrics, weight training, muscle damage, performance
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