Impact of six weeks of athletic training on body composition, physical fitness, and physiological determinants of short-distance runners

Abstract

Background: The present study has been designed to investigate the effects of six weeks of training on body composition, physical fitness, and physiological determinants of short-distance runners. Methods: A total of 75 male volunteers (age: 18–20 years) were included in this study, among them fifteen were excluded. The rest sixty volunteers were divided into: (i) the control group (CG, n = 30) and (ii) the experimental group (EG, n = 30). The volunteers of EG underwent a training programme (4 hours/day, 5 days/week, for 6 weeks), and the volunteers of CG were involved in recreational activities. Selected performance determinants were determined at the base line and after six week of study. Results and Discussion: A significant increase (p < 0.05) in LBM, strength of grip, back, leg, upper body, abdomen muscles, anaerobic power, explosive power of legs, flexibility, VO2max, FEV1, FVC, and PEFR; and a decrease (p < 0.05) in body fat percentage, 30 m sprint time, resting blood pressure, heart rate response during exercise and recovery, and peak blood lactate level were noted among the participants of EG following the intervention. The changes observed were due to the effects of training among the sprinters. Interpretation: The present study showed that six weeks of training had a significant impact on selected body composition, physical fitness, and physiological variables of the short-distance runners, which are related to their performance. Extensive research is needed on a large sample size to observe the effects of long-term training on performance determinants of the short-distance runners.