Abstract

Weight training has motivated and attracted the youth to develop their strength and build their muscles. Apart from developing a wholesome personality it also helps in to keep a person fit and healthy. The purpose of the study was to find out the effect of weight training (WT) on sprinting performance, flexibility and strength of the 20 students. A 45 min WT schedule twice a week for 12 weeks was administered. The test considered were strength (1 RM for all the WT components), 50 m run and sit and reach. Speed is one of the variables which is associated with the fitness of the subjects. The analysis of the data reveals a significant (p<0.05) improvement sprinting performance with the mean±SD reading in the pre-test 0.43±0.07 s and in the post-test of 0.41±0.06 s. Flexibility improved (p<0.05) from pre to post test (26.7±9.3) and (31.8±8.4). Squat exercise increased (p<0.05) from pre to post test (75.5±15.1 kg) and (99.5±14.7 kg). The bench press exercise increased (p<0.05) from pre to post test (48.8±24.1) and (65.5±24.3 kg). Barbell front press exercise increased (p<0.05) from pre to post test (24.5±12.7 kg) and (34.4±12.4 kg). High pull downs improved the strength of the lats and back muscles, and the analysis points towards it with from pre to post test (39.5±11.1 kg) and (59.0±10.3 kg; p<0.05). Barbell curls exercise increased (p<0.05) the strength of the biceps muscles from pre to post test (17.3±7.3 kg) and (27.0±7.9 kg). The study has revealed that WT improved strength and also showed some improvement in speed and flexibility.