Effects of resistance training applied with a velocity-based approach on selected motor skills

Resistance training plays a crucial role in the planning and implementation of all sports requiring optimal performance. The literature on resistance exercise encompasses many different methods. The aim of this study is to determine whether there is a difference in the effects of resistance exercises performed according to traditional percentage-based training protocols and velocity-based training protocols on speed, agility, jumping performance, and maximum strength parameters. In this study, an experimental research design involving a pre-test/post-test model with control groups, which is one of the quantitative research methods, was used to compare the percentage-based resistance training method with the velocity-based training method and examine their effects on performance. Twenty male students (the mean age of the first research group was 20.4 ± 1.83 years, whereas that of the second research group was 23.7 ± 4.27 years) enrolled in the Faculty of Sports Sciences, who were actively involved in sports and had at least two years of resistance training experience, participated in the study. During the pre-test phase of the study, participants age, height, and body weight were determined and the predetermined performance tests 20–40 m sprint, countermovement jump, 505 agility, and one-repetition maximal squat were administered. In addition, after completing the pre-test phase, participants performed resistance training at specified intensity levels for six weeks, and in the post-test phase, all test protocols from the pre-test were reapplied. In order to determine the normality of the data distribution and to examine the changes between and within groups (pre-test and post-test), a 2 × 2 two-way ANOVA was used. Both training interventions resulted in improvements in several performance variables. Significant within-group improvements were observed in agility (505 test) and maximal strength (1RM) (p 0.05). Effect size analysis indicated that the velocity-based training group showed relatively greater improvements in jump height, agility, and maximal strength (CMJ, 505, and 1RM); however, these differences were not statistically significant. No between-group differences were observed for sprint performance. Both velocity-based and percentage-based resistance training resulted in improvements in performance variables. However, no significant group × time interaction was observed for most outcomes. Although the velocity-based training group showed relatively greater improvements in certain variables (e.g., agility and maximal strength), these differences were primarily based on effect size trends rather than statistically significant differences. Therefore, velocity-based training represents a viable alternative to traditional percentage-based training. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07249203, registered on 14/11/2025.