Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effect of plyometric training (PT) when added to habitual gymnastic training (HT) on handspring vault (HV) performance variables. Twenty youth female competitive gymnasts (Age: 12.5 ± 1.67 y) volunteered to participate and were randomly assigned to two independent groups. The experimental plyometric training group (PTG) undertook a six-week plyometric program, involving two additional 45 min PT sessions a week, alongside their HT, while the control group (CG) performed regular HT only. Videography was used (120 Hz) in the sagittal plane to record both groups performing three HVs for both the baseline and post-intervention trials. Furthermore, participants completed a countermovement jump test (CMJ) to assess the effect of PT on functional power. Through the use of Quintic biomechanics software, significant improvements (P < 0.05) were found for the PTG for run-up velocity, take-off velocity, hurdle to board distance, board contact time, table contact time and post-flight time and CMJ height. However, there were no significant improvements on pre-flight time, shoulder angle or hip angle on the vault for the PTG. The CG demonstrated no improvement for all HV measures. A sport-specific PT intervention improved handspring vault performance measures and functional power when added to the habitual training of youth female gymnasts. The additional two hours plyometric training seemingly improved the power generating capacity of movement-specific musculature, which consequently improved aspects of vaulting performance. Future research is required to examine the whether the improvements are as a consequence of the additional volume of sprinting and jumping activities, as a result of the specific PT method or a combination of these factors.
Highlights
Progression within gymnastics requires the continuous development of new and increasingly complex skills with heightened physical demands, for long-term athlete development the importance of strength and power is emphasised [1,2]
Results indicated a significant difference (P = 0.008, effect size (ES) = 0.27 [small]) for post-flight time change score between the plyometric training group (PTG) compared to control group (CG)
This study investigated the effect of a specific plyometric training (PT) program on handspring vault (HV) performance
Summary
Progression within gymnastics requires the continuous development of new and increasingly complex skills with heightened physical demands, for long-term athlete development the importance of strength and power is emphasised [1,2]. Training to develop strength and power must begin at a young age in order to achieve maximal potential and PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0148790. Effect of Plyometric Training on Handspring Vault Performance complete the required skills for top competitions [3]. It is necessary for gymnasts to possess sufficient explosive power in the lower limb musculature in order to perform the multitude of required jumping skills whilst maintaining body control [4,5]. The handspring vault (HV) is one such manoeuvre which demands considerable force and power output and is of paramount importance for a gymnast’s vaulting development [6]. The handspring vault is not performed at high-level competition due to associated low scoring value, it forms the basis of advanced skill acquisition, and is known to serve as a valuable preparation vault for gymnasts and is a pre-requisite for all high quality vaulting [7]
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