Abstract:
The purpose of this study aimed to investigate and compare the effect of accentuated eccentric complex training versus traditional complex training on leg muscular performance in male rugby players. Twenty-eight male rugby players, aged between 18-25 years, from Chulalongkorn University were recruited. For this study The participants, matched by the relative strength, were randomly assigned into 2 groups (n=14/group). In the group 1, the participants performed an accentuated eccentric complex training, while the group 2 performed a traditional complex training, twice a week for 6 consecutive weeks. Before and after a 6-week of training, the relative strength, peak torque knee extension, peak torque knee flexion, reactive strength index, peak power, ground reaction force, peak velocity and speed were determined. Data were analyzed using Paired t-test and Independent sample t-test to determine the difference within group and between group, respectively. The statistical significance was set at p-value < .05. The results showed that the mean age, height, body weight, relative strength, peak torque knee extension, peak torque knee flexion, reactive strength index, peak power, ground reaction force, peak velocity and speed did not differ (p>.05) between two groups at the beninning of the experiment. After 6 weeks of training, both groups showed significant higher (p<.05) in relative strength, peak torque knee extension, peak power and speed than that of the pre-training. Moreover, the group 1 showed significant higher (p<.05) in relative strength and peak torque knee extension than that in group 2. However, no significant differenced in peak torque knee flexion, reactive strength index, peak power, ground reaction force, peak velocity and speede were observed between two groups. In conclusion, both eccentric complex training and traditional complex training, twice a week, over a 6-week period, are equally effective for improving leg muscular performance. However, the accentauted eccentric complex training appears to increase leg muscular strength more than that of traditional complex training. Hence. the eccentuated eccentric complex training can be used for enhancing leg muscular performance in rugby players.