The Effects of Ballistic and Complex Training on Obstacle Course Race Performance among Royal Malaysia Police Athletes

Abstract

Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) is a physically demanding sport that challenges athletes to combine strength, speed, endurance, and agility to overcome various physical obstacles. For Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) athletes, OCR performance not only reflects their physical fitness but also serves as an indicator of their operational readiness and functional capability in real-field conditions. This study aims to identify the most effective training method to enhance OCR performance. Specifically, it compares the effects of eight weeks of ballistic training (BT) and complex training (CT) on upper- and lower-body strength, grip strength, vertical jump power, and linear sprint speed among RMP OCR athletes.Twenty male RMP special unit officers (n = 20; age: 30.4 ± 4.4 years; height: 1.75 ± 0.03 m; body mass: 66.0 ± 3.0 kg) participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to either the BT group or the CT group. Both groups showed significant improvements in upper- and lower-body strength and power (P < 0.001). However, the BT group demonstrated greater improvements compared to the CT group. No significant changes were observed in 60-m sprint performance (P > 0.001). The findings suggest that incorporating ballistic resistance exercises into in-season training programs can effectively optimize performance among tactical OCR athletes.