Squash and Resistance Training: Relative Comparison on Speed, Explosive Power, Muscular Endurance and Flexibility

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to compare resistance and squash training on speed, explosive power, muscular endurance and flexibility among college male students. Nineteen college male students 20-22 years divided into two groups, resistance training group (RT, n = 10) and squash training group (SQT, n = 9). RT group performed several weight machines. The SQT group undertook squash skills in addition to participation in tournaments. The training lasted for 6 weeks, 4 days/week, 30 min per session. Subjects were tested on body composition and physical fitness before and after training. One Repetition Maximum (1RM) was used to decide maximum strength of RT group. Means, SD, independent and Paired t-test utilized with P = 0.05). However, when after-training-tests were matched with before-training-tests in each group independently, RT decreased significantly in 50 m sprint time by 6% (P = 0.008), SLJ by 6.3% (P = 0.004) and sit and reach by 12.4% (P = 0.012) but, no change in sit-ups (P >= 0.05). While, SQT showed elevation (P = 0.003) in sit and reach of 19%, no changes was seen in the other fitness parameters (P = 0.05). It was concluded that RT group had training effect on speed, explosive power and flexibility, while SQT group showed training effect in flexibility.