Medicine ball training to improve upper extremity muscle strength in adolescents aged 15 to 17 years
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https://doi.org/10.17979/sportis.2025.11.4.11915Abstract
Participation in strength training programs can improve muscle power, speed, and bone health. The objective was to evaluate a medicine ball exercise program to improve muscle strength in adolescents. A quantitative pre-experimental study was developed. The sample consisted of 13 subjects between 15 and 17 years of age, 8 male (62%) and 5 female (38%). Weight, height and waist circumference were evaluated. BMI (kg/m2) and fat mass (kg) were calculated. Maximum strength (dynamometry), endurance strength (biceps curl) and explosive strength (medicine ball throwing) tests were performed. A circuit training intervention with a medicine ball was performed, 8 sessions of 30 minutes, during eight weeks at high intensity. The average age of the adolescents studied was 16.10±0.46 years in males and 16.26±0.98 years in females. After applying the intervention program in males, a significant increase in left maximum hand strength (MPF) was found, with a 4.7 kg/f increase. In women, a significant increase of 15 cm was recorded in the forward medicine ball throw. This study demonstrated that an 8-session medicine ball training intervention generated limited improvements in left-sided FPM performance in men, as well as in forward throwing strength in women. These results suggest that, although the program had some positive impact, its effect was partial and specific according to the type of test and sex of the participants.
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