Effect of the French Contrast Method on Explosive Strength and Kinematic Parameters of the Triple Jump Among Female College Athletes

The Effects of the French Contrast method on Soccer Player's Jumping, Sprinting and Balance Performance

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of a six-week French contrast method applied to professional Soccer players on jumping, sprinting, and dynamic balance performance values.

METHODS

A total of 21 male Soccer players voluntarily participated in the study, all of whom played professionally for 1461 Trabzonspor club. Data on gender, age, body weight (kg), body fat percentage (%BF), body mass index (BMI), vertical jump (cm), 30m sprint, and dynamic balance were obtained from the players. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to assess the normality of the data. Since the data showed normal distribution, paired samples T-test statistical analysis was applied.

RESULTS

According to the statistical results obtained from professional Soccer players, there is a statistically significant difference between vertical jump, 30m sprint, and dynamic balance values (p<0.05). Based on these findings, it can be stated that the applied French contrast training method is effective on the mentioned variables.

CONCLUSION

French contrast training program applied to professional Soccer players can be considered effective in improving vertical jump, 30m sprint, and dynamic balance values.

Rubber Band Training Improves Athletic Performance in Young Female Handball Players

This study's objective was to investigate the impact of a 10-week in season contrast rubber band training program on athletic performance in young female handball players. Youth athletes (15.8 ± 0.2 years) were randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 16) or a control group (n = 14). The intervention group performed contrast rubber band training (20 sessions over two weeks), while the control group maintained regular in-season training. The modified T-test, squat jump, countermovement jump, standing long jump, repeated sprint ability, 1-RM bench press and half squat, along with upper and lower limb force-velocity tests were performed. The intervention group experienced significantly larger performance enhancements than the control group in the modified T-test [p < 0.001; d = 1.45%Δ (intervention = -7.1, control = -0.8)], vertical jump [p ≤ 0.009; d ≥ 0.72; %Δ (8.4 < intervention < 19.8, 4.1 < control < 12.2)], 1-RM strength [p ≤ 0.04, d ≥ 0.80; %Δ (37.1 < intervention < 39.7, 7.2 < control < 11.2)], all force-velocity scores for the upper limbs [p ≤ 0.009; d ≥ 0.72; %Δ (21 < intervention < 82, 0.1 < control < 11.6)], three of four force-velocity scores for the lower limb performance [p ≤ 0.02; d ≥ 0.64; %Δ (6.4 < intervention < 31.3, 0.8 < control < 11.1)] and all repeated sprint times [p < 0.001; d ≥ 1.15; %Δ (-3.4 < intervention < -3.1, -1.9 < control < -0.5)]. It was concluded that ten weeks of contrast rubber band training positively affected most motor abilities in youth female handball athletes. Therefore, coaches and practitioners should consider utilizing contrast rubber band strength training as a time and resource-efficient means of improving physical fitness of youth handball players.

Effects of a Velocity-Based Complex Training Program in Young Female Artistic Roller Skating Athletes

Complex training consists of a near maximal strength effort followed by a biomechanically similar explosive exercise. One of many complex training methods that have been proposed is the French Contrast Method. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of the French Contrast Method on maximal strength and power of young female artistic roller skating athletes with the help of velocity-based training to prescribe the intervention program. Eighteen female artistic roller skating athletes, divided into an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG), participated in this study. The EG performed complex training via the French Contrast Method. The CG did not perform any additional training besides their regular roller skating practices. All participants were tested on the 1-RM back squat and hip thrust, the load-velocity profile assessment of both exercises previously stated, the countermovement jump, and the drop jump. A significant increase in mean concentric velocity (MCV) of the hip thrust exercise from 10 to 60% of 1-RM in the EG was observed. Significant differences between groups were observed for the MCV of the hip thrust from 10 to 90% of 1-RM. There were also significant increases in the 1-RM back squat and 1-RM hip thrust over time in the EG. For the vertical jump variables, there were significant differences between groups for both contact time and the reactive strength index with and without an arm swing. The results of this study suggest that a 6-week training intervention with the use of the French Contrast Method can

Within Session Exercise Sequencing During Programming for Complex Training: Historical Perspectives, Terminology, and Training Considerations

The primary aim of this narrative review was to outline the historical genesis of resistance training strategies that incorporate high-load, low-velocity exercises and low-load, high-velocity exercises in the same training session allowing for different "exercise sequences" to be simultaneously implemented. Discrepancies between scientific works and the terminology used within contemporary sport science publications are identified. Upon review of the literature, we propose "complex training" to be considered an umbrella term with 4 different implementations, generally used to indicate a method in which movement velocity or load is altered between sets and/or exercises within the same session with the aim of improving slow and fast force expression. We propose the following terminology for said implementations: contrast training-exercise sequence with alternating high-load and low-load (higher-velocity) exercises in a set-by-set fashion within the same session (corresponding with 'contrast pairs' and 'intra-contrast rest'); descending training-several sets of high-load (e.g., back squat) exercises completed before the execution of several sets of low-load, higher-velocity (e.g., vertical jump) exercises within the same session; ascending training-several sets of low-load, higher-velocity exercises completed before several sets of high-load exercises within the same session; and French contrast training-subset of contrast training in which a series of exercises are performed in sequence within a single session: heavy compound exercise, plyometric exercise, light-to-moderate load compound exercise that maximises movement speed (i.e., external power), and a plyometric exercise (often assisted). Finally, practical applications and training considerations are presented.