The Effect of a Cross-Training Program on the Body Composition, the Physical Working Capacity and the Record Level of 5000m Runners

This research aimed to identify the effect of the cross-training on each of the two variables of body composition (B.C.) [fat mass (F.M.) & muscle mass (M.M.)], the physical working capacity (P.W.C.), and the record level of 5000m runners (R.L.5000m runners). The researcher used the experimental approach by the design of per-post measurements of two equal groups , one of them was the control group and the other was the experimental group , each group consisted of 6 of 5000m runners. A cross-training program was applied on the experimental group, while a conventional-training program was applied on the control group, with taking into account the equality of the time and the intensity of the training units in between the two programs to the maximum extent possible, the two training programs lasted for 10 weeks without the two weeks of per & post measurements , training program of the experimental group was included bicycling, training with cycle ergometer & rowing machine, running in shallow water, aqua jogging, rope jumping, and versa climber, as cross-training activities. The results indicated that cross-training was statistically significant more effective than the conventional-training for developing the level of (P.W.C.), and (R.L.5000m runners), but wasn't statistically significant more effective than the conventional-training for improving each of the two variables of (B.C.), [(F.M.) & (M.M.)], but statistically insignificant.