The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a short-term complex training program on maximum muscular strength performance in elite rugby players. Sixteen male athletes were recruited from the Chinese Taipei national rugby union team (22.13±1.86 years [mean±SD]) in the study. All subjects were divided by two groups: forward group (n = 8) and back group (n = 8). All subjects completed 60 minutes per day, 2 days a week at 70% of one-repetition maximum (1-RM) for 3 sets (12 repetitions) during weeks 1-2, and 80% of l-RM during weeks 3-4. Measurements of demographical variables, anthropometric indices, and muscular strength (bench press, back squat, biceps curl, shoulder press, and dead lift) were obtained at baseline and after 4 weeks. Measurements were analyzed by independent sample t-test and paired samples t-test in statistics. Results showed that the forward group in maximum strength performance of squat (160.63±26.25 vs. 136.88±11.93 kg), biceps curl (64.38±4.17 vs. 57.50±3.78 kg), and dead lift (158.13±22.35 vs. 132.50±12.8 kg) was significantly higher than the back group at baseline, respectively (p < .05). In addition, the forward group in maximum strength performance of bench press (133.75±12.46 vs. 117.50±14.14 kg), biceps curl (68.13±4.58 vs. 60.63±5.63 kg), shoulder press (90.00±6.55 vs. 79.38±11.48 kg), and dead lift (171.88±16.68 vs. 146.25±13.02 kg) was significantly higher than the back group after 4 weeks complex training, respectively (p < .05). Based on results, both of groups in maximum strength performance of bench press, squat, biceps curl, shoulder press, and dead lift was significantly improved after 4 weeks complex training, respectively (p<.05). The increasing rate in the forward group was 7.4 %, 4.7%, 5.9%, 17.6%, and 9.4%, respectively. The increasing rate in back group was 4.5%; 7.7%, 5.3%, 11.6%, and 10.7%, respectively. In conclusion, we suggested that a short-term complex training program plays an important role in improving maximal strength performance in elite rugby players, in particular, to enhance the effect of the upper limb maximum muscle strength better.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a short-term complex training program on maximum muscular strength performance in elite rugby players. Sixteen male athletes were recruited from the Chinese Taipei national rugby union team (22.13±1.86 years [mean±SD]) in the study. All subjects were divided by two groups: forward group (n = 8) and back group (n = 8). All subjects completed 60 minutes per day, 2 days a week at 70% of one-repetition maximum (1-RM) for 3 sets (12 repetitions) during weeks 1-2, and 80% of l-RM during weeks 3-4. Measurements of demographical variables, anthropometric indices, and muscular strength (bench press, back squat, biceps curl, shoulder press, and dead lift) were obtained at baseline and after 4 weeks. Measurements were analyzed by independent sample t-test and paired samples t-test in statistics. Results showed that the forward group in maximum strength performance of squat (160.63±26.25 vs. 136.88±11.93 kg), biceps curl (64.38±4.17 vs. 57.50±3.78 kg), and dead lift (158.13±22.35 vs. 132.50±12.8 kg) was significantly higher than the back group at baseline, respectively (p < .05). In addition, the forward group in maximum strength performance of bench press (133.75±12.46 vs. 117.50±14.14 kg), biceps curl (68.13±4.58 vs. 60.63±5.63 kg), shoulder press (90.00±6.55 vs. 79.38±11.48 kg), and dead lift (171.88±16.68 vs. 146.25±13.02 kg) was significantly higher than the back group after 4 weeks complex training, respectively (p < .05). Based on results, both of groups in maximum strength performance of bench press, squat, biceps curl, shoulder press, and dead lift was significantly improved after 4 weeks complex training, respectively (p<.05). The increasing rate in the forward group was 7.4 %, 4.7%, 5.9%, 17.6%, and 9.4%, respectively. The increasing rate in back group was 4.5%; 7.7%, 5.3%, 11.6%, and 10.7%, respectively. In conclusion, we suggested that a short-term complex training program plays an important role in improving maximal strength performance in elite rugby players, in particular, to enhance the effect of the upper limb maximum muscle strength better.