Purpose: To examine the effects of different heights and with load of upper limbs plyometric training programs on strength performance. Methods: Twenty four (24) healthy female students who study at a Physical Education Specialized Senior High School were the subjects. They were matched with push-up height and then randomly assigned into four groups: CON (control), Drop10 (drop height 10 cm), Drop15 (drop height 15 cm), and DL (drop height 10 cm with 5lb weight). All subjects received training (5 sessions per wk for 2 wks, 3 sets of 10 reps per session, with 2 mins rest between sets) except for the CON group. Six tests were performed (before training and every 3 days during training). Tests include push-up height, grip strength, sitting shot-put, biceps circumference (contracted and relaxed), and deltoid circumference. All data were analyzed with mixed design, two-way ANOVA (training method and training time), and the significance level was set at p <.05. Results: The push-up height of Drop15, Drop10 and DL were significantly higher than CON on the 12^th day. Drop15, Drop10 and DL were significantly higher than CON on sitting shot-put, and the 9^th day was significantly higher than pretest and the 4^th day. DL was significantly higher than CON on the 4^th, 9^th, 12^th day for circumference of biceps muscle relaxed, but no significant difference for contracted. The 4^th, 9^th and 12^th day were significantly higher than pretest on deltoid circumference. Conclusions: Two weeks of upper limbs plyometric training for female athletes at the heights of 15 and 10 cm and with load can increase power of upper limbs, but not the grip strength. Training with load may increase muscle mass more than the unloaded. Thus, upper limbs plyometric training can be helpful in upper limbs strength training for many sports.
Purpose: To examine the effects of different heights and with load of upper limbs plyometric training programs on strength performance. Methods: Twenty four (24) healthy female students who study at a Physical Education Specialized Senior High School were the subjects. They were matched with push-up height and then randomly assigned into four groups: CON (control), Drop10 (drop height 10 cm), Drop15 (drop height 15 cm), and DL (drop height 10 cm with 5lb weight). All subjects received training (5 sessions per wk for 2 wks, 3 sets of 10 reps per session, with 2 mins rest between sets) except for the CON group. Six tests were performed (before training and every 3 days during training). Tests include push-up height, grip strength, sitting shot-put, biceps circumference (contracted and relaxed), and deltoid circumference. All data were analyzed with mixed design, two-way ANOVA (training method and training time), and the significance level was set at p <.05. Results: The push-up height of Drop15, Drop10 and DL were significantly higher than CON on the 12^th day. Drop15, Drop10 and DL were significantly higher than CON on sitting shot-put, and the 9^th day was significantly higher than pretest and the 4^th day. DL was significantly higher than CON on the 4^th, 9^th, 12^th day for circumference of biceps muscle relaxed, but no significant difference for contracted. The 4^th, 9^th and 12^th day were significantly higher than pretest on deltoid circumference. Conclusions: Two weeks of upper limbs plyometric training for female athletes at the heights of 15 and 10 cm and with load can increase power of upper limbs, but not the grip strength. Training with load may increase muscle mass more than the unloaded. Thus, upper limbs plyometric training can be helpful in upper limbs strength training for many sports.