This study compared the efficacy of a vertical and horizontal plyometric training program on acceleration, speed, jumping performance, and agility in young soccer players during the in-season period. Thirty male soccer players (19.1 ± 5.8 years) were assigned into a horizontal plyometric, a vertical plyometric, or a control group. The horizontal plyometric group and vertical plyometric group participated in an eight-week training program that was performed one day/week (in conjunction with conventional soccer training) and consisted of horizontal (for the horizontal plyometric group) or vertical plyometric exercises (for the vertical plyometric group). Acceleration (10-m sprint), speed (30-m sprint), agility, and jumping performance (horizontal and vertical) were assessed prior and after the completion of plyometric training programs. Agility, 30-m sprint performance, and vertical jumping performance (p < 0.01) improved following the completion of training in both horizontal plyometric group and vertical plyometric group, whereas horizontal jumping performance improved only in horizontal plyometric group (p < 0.01). There were no significant effects on acceleration for both horizontal plyometric group and vertical plyometric group. Furthermore, no differences were observed between groups in all performance parameters. In control group, acceleration, speed, agility, and jumping performance remained stable throughout the study. To sum up, horizontal or vertical plyometric training programs, consisted of one session/week, may be used by coaches and fitness professionals as effective exercise modalities for preserving or improving jumping performance, acceleration, speed, and agility in young soccer players during the in-season period.

This study examined the development of peak handgrip strength from childhood to adulthood in wrestlers (n = 122) and nonathlete controls (n = 122). The effect of hand preference on handgrip strength and the relationship of anthropometrical characteristics with handgrip strength in wrestlers and controls were also evaluated. Participants were assigned into age groups: children, young adolescents, late adolescents, and adults. Body height and mass, hand dimensions (length, span, and width), and absolute handgrip (in kilograms) were measured. Handgrip strength was similar in wrestlers and controls in the younger age groups (i.e., in children and young adolescents), whereas late adolescent and adult wrestlers exhibited significantly greater peak handgrip strength (p < 0.05) than their control peers. Nonathletes older than 15 years demonstrated an approximately 10% greater peak handgrip strength (p < 0.05) with their preferred hand compared with the nonpreferred hand. In contrast, late adolescent and adult wrestlers exhibited similar handgrip strength with both hands. Peak handgrip strength exhibited a significant linear correlation with all the anthropometric measures examined; however, a higher percentage in the variation in peak handgrip strength was explained by body height and hand length than the other anthropometric variables in both groups. In conclusion, wrestlers exhibit a sport-specific pattern of handgrip strength changes during the developmental years. Body height and hand length exhibited the strongest correlations with handgrip strength during the developmental years in wrestlers and in controls. The training adaptations of wrestling resulted in symmetrical handgrip strength development in both hands at late adolescence and adulthood. These data serve to provide a descriptive profile of handgrip strength in wrestlers, to assist both coaches and health professionals for talent selection and/or development of training programs for performance enhancement and rehabilitation.

To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has examined the health-promoting effects of a daily supervised concurrent workplace training program in inactive office workers. The main objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a 6-month workplace training program on health indices, musculoskeletal pains, functional capacity, and physical fitness in office workers. Randomized controlled study. Four workplaces in the Region of Thessaly, Greece. A total of 36 office workers (≥6 hours/d, 5 days/wk) were randomly assigned to either a training group (TG; n = 18) or a control group (CG; n = 18). The TG participated, every working day, in a 6-month supervised concurrent (flexibility, strength, balance, aerobic) training program (120 training sessions, 2 workouts/d of 15-20 minutes) that was implemented, in small groups, at the workplace during the work shift. The CG did not participate in any training. Health indices (body composition, blood pressure, respiratory function), musculoskeletal pains, functional capacity (flexibility, balance), and physical fitness (maximal strength, cardiorespiratory fitness) were measured before and after the completion of the program. After the completion of the program, participants’ enjoyment was assessed. Two-way analysis of variance (group × time) with repeated measures on the “time” factor. The statistical power, for all parameters, ranged from 0.85 to 0.94. Training group significantly increased lean body mass (3.81%); respiratory function (4.20%-4.53%); cervical, handgrip, back, and leg maximal strength (8.75%-26.55%); and functional capacity (19.71%-188.20%; P < .001-.01; Cohen’s effect size: 0.80-7.21), while significant reductions were observed on body fat (7.58%), blood pressure (4.99%-8.05%), heart rate (12.80%), and musculoskeletal pains (33.33%-100%; P < .001; Cohen’s effect size: 0.81-6.21). In CG, all the above variables did not change. Furthermore, a great percentage of workers (94.4%) reported high levels of enjoyment. The program “HealPWorkers” is an enjoyable exercise modality that may be safely and effectively used, to work settings, for the improvement of worker’s health, overall fitness, and functional capacity.