The effect of AMRAP training on skill performance among healthy collegiate students / Mohd Armizan Mohd Zuhairi ... [et al.].

In recent years, there has been a growing global concern over sedentary behavior due to its adverse effects on health and well-being. The As Many Reps/Rounds as Possible (AMRAP) training methodology, a key element of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) programs, has gained prominence in the fitness industry for its versatility, time efficiency, and significant health benefits. However, research on the impact of AMRAP training on skill performance components among students is limited. This study aimed to examine the effects of AMRAP training on speed, agility, power, and balance in healthy collegiate students. A total of 24 healthy collegiate students (17 males, 7 females) aged 20-21 years participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either an AMRAP or Traditional Resistance Training (TRT) group for six weeks. The AMRAP group performed exercises designed to maximize repetitions or rounds within a specified timeframe, while the TRT group followed a conventional resistance training protocol. Both groups trained three times per week at 60%-67% of maximum heart rate. Skill performance components were assessed using standard protocols: speed was measured with a 30m dash, agility with a T-test, power with a vertical jump test, and balance with a stork stand test. Statistical analysis was conducted using paired t-tests to compare pre-and post-intervention results within groups and independent t-tests to compare differences between groups. Both groups showed significant speed improvements (AMRAP: -0.14s, TRT: -0.36s), agility (AMRAP: -3.31s, TRT: -2.91s), power (AMRAP: +4.2cm, TRT: +4.66cm), and balance (AMRAP: +2.65s, TRT: +11.24s). No significant differences were observed between the AMRAP and TRT groups in all skill performance components except for balance (p < 0.05) with the TRT group showing a more substantial improvement compared to the AMRAP group. This may be due to the nature of traditional resistance training, which often includes more static and controlled movements that require stabilization and balance, thus providing greater balance training stimuli compared to the more dynamic and rapid movements characteristic of AMRAP. In conclusion, these findings suggest that AMRAP can be an effective alternative to traditional resistance training, especially for those seeking time-efficient workout options. Traditional resistance training might be more beneficial for enhancing balance.