A comparison of the effects of two protocols of concurrent resistance and aerobic training on physical fitness in middle school students.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effects of two concurrent training (CT) protocols on the physical fitness of middle school students.

METHOD: A 12-week quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test study was conducted with 157 middle school students (age = 12.48 ± 0.34, n = 90 females) divided into three groups: CT group A (CT-0h) received combined resistance training (RT) and aerobic training (AT) in each physical education session, CT group B (CT-48h) received RT and AT across two separate physical education classes 48 h apart, and a control group (Con) received no training. Training occurred twice a week. Test indicators included cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) measured by estimated VO2 max and 20 m shuttle run (laps), as well as muscle strength assessed through long jump, vertical jump, and handgrip strength.

RESULTS: The intervention groups exhibited significant increases in estimated VO2 max and muscle strength compared to their baseline values ( p < 0.05). Both CT-0h and CT-48h groups demonstrated significant improvements in 20 m shuttle run (laps) (mean difference: 8.88 laps, p < 0.01; mean difference: 4.81 laps, p < 0.01, respectively), standing long jump (mean difference: 6.20 cm, p < 0.01; mean difference: 3.68 cm, p < 0.01, respectively), vertical jump (mean difference: 4.95 cm, p < 0.01; mean difference: 4.04 cm, p < 0.01, respectively), and handgrip strength (mean difference: 11.17 kg, p < 0.01; mean difference: 6.99 kg, p < 0.01, respectively). CT-0h group exhibited significantly increased estimated VO2 max (mean difference: 1.47 ml/kg/min, p < 0.01) compared to the CT-48h group.

CONCLUSION: Both CT programs effectively improved adolescents' physical fitness indicators. However, the program that integrated RT and AT within the same physical education class demonstrated superior enhancement in adolescents' CRF.