Combined and comparative effects of plyometrics and dynamic stretching on vertical jump in volleyball players

Abstract

Objective: Aim of this study was to investigate the combined and comparative training outcomes of plyometrics and dynamic stretching of lower limb muscle groups on vertical jump performance in male and female collegiate volleyball players. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out as two training sessions in a week, for eight weeks duration. The total number of participants was 90 male and 90 female collegiate volleyball players aged 18-22 years. All the participants were recreational players and they were playing one hour daily in the evening. They were randomly distributed into three male groups (Group 1, Group 2 & Group 3) and three female groups (Group 4, Group 5 & Group 6) with 30 participants in each group. All the participants underwent Sargent vertical jump performance test before starting the training session it was repeated in every two weeks of training program. Results: Plyometrics and plyometrics with dynamic stretching led to significant improvements in vertical jump height (VJH), and this improvement was progressed after every two weeks of training. However, the control groups did not display any improvement. The effect of training was significantly higher in male and female groups who have performed plyometrics with lower limbs dynamic stretching as compared with the groups that performed only plyometric exercises (p<0.05). Compared to females, male participants had a better improvement of VJH in both training groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that two sessions of plyometric exercise training per week for eight weeks can improve the ability of VJH in male and female collegiate volleyball players. However, combined training of lower body plyometrics and lower limbs dynamic stretching had better results in terms of vertical jump performance.