Background Resistance training is now highly recommended for enhancing physical fitness in preadolescence. According to this critical period of development, choosing the safe and efficient types of training is important. Aims Comparing the effect of two types of suspension and unsuspension resistance training on physical fitness and body composition in prepubescent soccer athletes. Methods Thirty immature boys were assigned randomly to either total-body resistance exercise (TRX), bodyweight training (BW), and control groups. Training groups completed training programs for 8 weeks which designed progressively according to ACSM recommendations for children. Suspension training was conducted using TRX bands and unsuspension training using body weight. Results TRX training showed significant improvements in muscular endurance (p < 0.001), upper and lower body strength (both; p < 0.01), static balance (p < 0.05), and also percent body fat (p = 0.005) compared to BW training. Also, there were no difference in aerobic power, agility, and muscular power. Conclusions Although the benefits of both types of resistance training were evident, TRX training seems to be more effective in children`s physical fitness components and can be developed as a fitness training method in youth athletes.
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