The effect of an eight-week strength training program supported with functional sports equipment on male volleyball players' anaerobic and aerobic power

Objective. - The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effect of an eight-week strength training program supported by functional sports equipment on male volleyball players' anaerobic and aerobic power. Material and methods. - A total of 26 athletes voluntarily participated in this study. The participants were randomly divided into two groups as an experimental group (n = 13/age = 27.08 +/- 3.99 year) and a control group (n = 13/age = 27.46 +/- 4.05 year). The experimental group was provided with strength training using functional sports equipment three days a week for an eight-week program in addition to their conventional volleyball training. The control group only participated in their conventional volleyball training. Their age, height and weight were measured. Before and at the end of the study, lower and upper extremity anaerobic and aerobic power tests were applied to the groups. Results. - In all parameters of the experimental group aerobic and anaerobic power test, statistically significant differences were obtained in favor of the post test (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between pre-test and post-test in all test parameters for the control group (P > 0.05). A statistically significant difference was found in favor of the experimental group in all parameters of aerobic and anaerobic power test between the groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion. - As a result, it can be said that the eight-week strength training supported by functional sports equipments increased the upper and lower extremity anaerobic and aerobic power and had positive effects on the development of strength and endurance. It can be suggested that trainers or even individual sportsmen should include strength training with functional sports equipments in their workout programs. (C) 2020 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.