Date of Award

Summer 5-1-1973

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Education, Health & Behavior Studies

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of two programs of weight training on strength gains made in the quadriceps, biceps brachii, and pectoralis major muscles. In determining the strength gains of the muscles while using two different programs of training, the following procedure was followed. Three different muscle areas were tested using three different exercises. The exercises and muscle groups were: 1. Leg Press -------- Quadriceps 2. Scott Curl ------- Biceps brachii 3. Bench Press ------- Pectoralis major The subjects (of which there were fourteen) x^ere assigned to treatment groups and training programs at random. The order in which the exercises were performed was also randomized. One program of training utilized two sets of five repetitions for all three exercises, and the other program utilized two sets of one repetition for all three exercises. Each program involved training twice per week for the same time period and lasted for nine weeks. A pre-test vras given the subjects at the beginning of the training period and a post-test was given at the end of nine weeks. The resulting scores from the pre-post-test period were then analyzed to determine whether or not any significant difference in

strength gains existed between the subjects of one group and the subjects of the other group. To determine the significant differences at the 0.05 level of significance t-tests were employed. The individual exercise test analysis of the pre-post-test scores of Group I yielded t-values of 4.637 for the leg press, 2.936 for the Scott curl, and 3.480 for the bench press. The individual exercise test analysis of the pre-post-test scores of Group II yielded t-values of 6.370 for the leg press, 5.589 for the Scott curl, and 5.455 for the bench press. Thus, in Group I and Group II significant differences in strength gains did occur during the training period. The individual exercise test analysis of the post-test scores of Group I and Group II yielded t-values of .857 for the leg press, .605 for the Scott curl, and .770 for the bench press, thus indicating no significant differences in strength gains existed among the subjects of the txro training programs in regard to the individual exercises.

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