Sex differences in the adaptations in maximal strength and anaerobic power to upper body plyometric training

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the effects of a 6-week upper body plyometric training (UBPT) on maximal strength and anaerobic power performance of male and female subjects. Forty collegiate physically active male and female subjects participated in the study and were assigned to either UBPT group (M-UBPT, n = 10, F-UBPT, n = 10) or control group (M-CON, n = 10; F-CON, n = 10). The training groups performed 6 weeks of progressive overload UBPT three times per week using six exercises and were evaluated for upper-body anaerobic power and maximal strength, 3-kg medicine ball throw (MBT), push-up endurance, and reaction time at pre- and post-intervention. After the training intervention, the M-CON and F-CON groups did not show significant (p > 0.05) changes in the variables, while both the M-UBPT and F-UBPT groups demonstrated significant (p = 0.001) medium to very large improvements in their performance as follows: maximal strength (effect size [ES] = 0.55, 0.92), MBT (ES = 1.96, 0.89) peak power output (ES = 2.31, 1.52), mean power output (ES = 2.19, 1.11), push-up endurance (ES = 1.26, 0.70), and reaction time (ES =  − 2.16, − 1.56), respectively. Nevertheless, the male group experienced more significant improvements in the MBT (p = 0.001), peak (p = 0.001) and mean power output (p = 0.01), as well as reaction time (p = 0.01) compared to the female group when utilizing UBPT. In conclusion, it is imperative to take sex into account as a crucial factor when incorporating UBPT, particularly if the objective is to enhance anaerobic power output, muscular power, and reaction time.