Comparison of Resistance Training and Plyometric Training for the Development of Speed of the Athletes

The purpose of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of Plyometric Training (PT) and Resistance Training (RT) for improving speed ability of the Athletes. Total thirty six (N = 36) district level athletes were randomly selected. All the subjects were divided into three equal groups: i) Resistance Training Group (RTG) as Experimental Group-I, ii) Plyometric Training Group (PTG) as Experimental Group-II and iii) Control Group (CG). Experimental group-I underwent resistance training whereas experimental group-II underwent plyometric training for eight weeks. But the control group did not involve in any of the above treatments. In the present study speed ability was measured through 60 yard dash. To draw the statistical inference analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used followed by Tukey’s LSD test as post hoc test. Both RTG and PTG improved significantly with respect to the CG in speed ability. Significant difference was also observed between RTG and PTG in speed ability. It was also confirmed that the PTG improved better than the RTG in speed ability. From the above findings it can be concluded that PT is more effective training means than RT to improve the speed ability of the athlete.