Effects of Combined Training on Physical Fitness and Anthropometric Measures among Boys Aged 8 to 12 Years in the Physical Education Setting

Some studies have shown that resistance training combined with plyometric training is more time-efficient and effective for fitness development. The degree and frequency of combined training might influence the benefit of training to maintain time. To better understand this phenomenon of the degree and frequency of combined training in pre- and early pubertal boys, we have provided a more specific recommendation for physical education teachers thus that they are able to prescribe an exercise plan for their students in the physical education setting. We aimed to investigate the effects of combined training followed by 12 weeks of a reduced/detraining period on physical fitness and anthropometric features in 8 to 12-year old boys. Forty-six healthy boys were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (EG, n = 31) or a control group (CG, n = 15). Besides regular physical education classes (PE), participants in the EG performed a combined training program (resistance and plyometric training) twice weekly for 12 weeks. In the CG, participants only underwent PE classes twice per week. Then, the trained boys were randomly assigned to either a reduced training group (RTG, n = 14) or a training cessation group (TCG, n = 17). The RTG continued a reduced combined training program once a week with PE for additional 12 weeks. In the TCG, participants only kept their PE classes twice a week for 12 weeks. We assessed physical fitness performances (biceps curl, leg power, and running speed) and anthropometric features at baseline, after 12 weeks of combined training, and after 12 weeks of reduced training/detraining. We observed a significantly greater decrease in biceps girth in the EG ( p = 0.049, d = 0.636), as compared to the CG. With regard to the physical fitness measures after the 12-week combined training, the EG showed significantly greater increase on biceps curl ( p = 0.005, d = 0.92) and standing long jump ( p = 0.015, d = 0.8) in comparison with the CG, whereas a significantly greater improvement on 30 m sprint speed ( p = 0.031, d = 0.707) was observed in the EG, as compared to the CG. With regard to detraining and reduced training, results indicated a significantly greater increase on this outcome in the RTG ( p = 0.038, d = 0.938), as compared to the TCG. Resistance training combined with plyometric training can be a safe and effective way to enhance the selected aspects of physical fitness, as well as reduce muscular girth in boys aged between 8 and 12 years. The frequency of one session per week in the combined training seems to provide an additional benefit to prevent leg power of lower limb from rapid deterioration.