Effects of Power-based Complex Training on Body Composition and Muscular Strength in Collegiate Athletes

This study examined the effects of power-based complex training (PCT) on body composition and muscular strength in male and female collegiate athletes. Twenty one athletes (12 female soccer players and 9 male football players) participated in a supervised PCT program for 6 weeks, which consisted of a variety of Olympic-style and traditional weightlifting movements and plyometrics. Following the 6-week PCT program, males did not significantly alter body composition, whereas females positively altered body composition without a significant change in body weight by increasing muscle mass (+1.32 kg, p = 0.044) and decreasing fat mass (-1.90 kg, p = 0.005) and % body fat (-2.60%, p = 0.006). The 6-week PCT program significantly increased upper and lower body strength in both males and females: 1) clean [males: +10.47%, p = 0.001 and females: +19.98%, p = 0.001], 2) incline press [males: +8.81%, p = 0.021 and females: 8.93%, p = 0.002], and 3) squat [males: +13.17%, p = 0.002 and females: +17.44%, p = 0.001]. A post-training percent change in clean for females was significantly greater than males (19.98 vs. 10.47%, p = 0.001), while the other post-training percent changes were not different. The current study suggests that the 6-week PCT program can positively alter body composition particularly for female athletes and significantly improve upper and lower body strength for both male and female athletes, which will contribute to improvement in athletic performance.