Informal observations made while conducting a meta-analysis of resistance training programs suggested that the between-person variation in strength test scores is greater after training than before. This study treated the informal observation as a hypothesis to be evaluated. The odds were 2.5:1 that the standard deviation after training would be larger than the standard deviation before training if a sample underwent resistance training, compared with 1:1 odds for control groups in training

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... ies. This difference supported the study hypothesis. Extending the analysis to subcategories based on age, gender, training experience, and training program characteristics, the training effect was present in all subgroups, but it was significantly stronger in some than others (e.g., older or novice lifters). The training effect did not increase with program length. This fact and the weak effect in experienced lifters suggested that the training effect might be a product of neuromuscular adaptations occurring early in training. Whatever its source, the training effect seldom will change inferences about whether resistance training has increased the strength of program participants, but it could be important when predicting how training affects the ability to meet basic performance standards. -i-Variability of Strength Test Scores 18b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (INCLUDING AREA CODE) COMM/DSN: (619) 553-8429 Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std. Z39-18