Effect of Plyometric Training on Speed and Change of Direction Ability in Elite Field Hockey Players.

Jasdev Singh,Brendyn Appleby,Andrew Lavender

doi:10.3390/sports6040144

Jasdev Singh, Brendyn Appleby + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/sports6040144

Copy DOI

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of two plyometric training protocols on sprint and change of direction (COD) performance in elite hockey players. A parallel-group randomized controlled trial design was used and seventeen elite male and female field hockey players were randomly allocated into either low-to-high (L-H, n = 8) or high-to-low (H-L, n = 9) training groups. Each group performed separate variations of the drop jump exercise twice weekly for six weeks, with an emphasis on either jump height (L-H) or drop height (H-L). Performance variables assessed included sprint times over 10 m and 20 m, as well as 505 time. A two-way repeated measures analysis of variance was performed and Cohen’s d effect sizes (ESs) were calculated. The H-L group displayed a significant small ES improvement from baseline to post-training in the 10 m sprint (1.893 ± 0.08 s pre vs. 1.851 ± 0.06 s post) (ES = −0.44) (p < 0.05). Differences between groups for 10 m and 20 m sprint performance failed to reach statistical significance, and no significant differences were observed within or between groups for 505 time. These findings highlight the difficulty in substantially enhancing speed and COD ability in highly trained athletic populations through the addition of a low volume, short duration plyometric training protocol.

Highlights

Change of direction (COD) ability refers to an athlete’s ability to rapidly decelerate, reverse, or change direction of movement, and accelerate again in a new direction [1]
Several previous studies have demonstrated drop jump training performed in the conventional manner can improve muscular power and sprint performance, and the weight of current literature still supports the use of conventional drop jumps as an effective method of training for power, speed, and perhaps COD [12,15,32,33,34]. This investigation aimed to compare the effects of two plyometric training protocols, involving either conventional drop jumps (L-H) or drop jumps performed with an accentuated eccentric phase (H-L), on sprint and COD performance in elite hockey players
It is important to recognize that these are elite athletes and the duration of the test is very short and could be affected by variables including central and peripheral fatigue. This intervention was an addition to regular training and no statistically significant improvements were observed for any other performance variables

Summary

Introduction

Change of direction (COD) ability refers to an athlete’s ability to rapidly decelerate, reverse, or change direction of movement, and accelerate again in a new direction [1]. As in many other team sports such as soccer, rugby, and Australian Rules football, depend heavily on their speed and COD ability when attempting to evade opposition defenders, closely mark opposition attackers, or gain positional advantage [1,2]. Whilst perceptual abilities such as knowledge of situations and anticipation contribute to an athlete’s overall sport-specific agility, COD is the term used to address the physical aspects of agility, without consideration of the cognitive and decision-making factors [3].

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion