Article Title
Comparison of the Power Plate and Free Weight Exercises on Upper Body Muscle Endurance in Young Athletes
Abstract
The power plate (PP) is designed to reduce training time while providing a muscle stimulus that leads to positive changes in muscle mass. This study investigated the effect that training on the PP has compared to a free-weight (FW) program, on upper body endurance, defined as the number of push-ups completed at one time prior to failure. Following IRB approval a pre-test was used to assess push-up endurance in PP and FW cohorts. Each group exercised for six consecutive weeks, working out three times per week, on non-consecutive days performing five exercises of two sets of 8-12 repetitions. Twenty-two females and 2 males enrolled in the investigation. Eleven with a mean age of 22 years (20-24) participated in the PP cohort. Thirteen participated in the FW arm of the study with a mean age of 24.5 (20-29) years. Shapiro-Wilk found lack of data normality. Wilcoxon Rank Sum testing yielded statistically significant differences within groups. The FW comparison between pre and post test showed a p value of 0.016. The PP group pre to post test p value was 0.005. Nonparametric testing (Mann Whitney) found no statistical differences (p=0.62) between Group A (FW) and Group B (PP) on the push-up pre-test. The post-test comparing post testing differences between groups (PP and FW) found no statistical differences (p=0.55) in the push-up test. Subjects in both groups saw increases in upper-body endurance with statistically significant differences within groups. Based on our findings the PP is a useful tool which enhances upper body muscle endurance.
Recommended Citation
Boland*, Elisabeth; Boland*, Dan; Carroll‡, Thomas; and Barfield‡, William R.
(2009)
"Comparison of the Power Plate and Free Weight Exercises on Upper Body Muscle Endurance in Young Athletes,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Vol. 2
:
Iss.
3.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijes/vol2/iss3/7