Abstract
Plyometric jump training (PJT) is a frequently used and effective means to improve amateur and elite soccer players' physical fitness. However, it is unresolved how different PJT frequencies per week with equal overall training volume may affect training-induced adaptations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of an in-season 8 week PJT with one session vs. two sessions per week and equal training volume on components of physical fitness in amateur female soccer players. A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted. Participants (N = 23; age, 21.4 ± 3.2 years) were randomly assigned to a one session PJT per-week (PJT-1, n = 8), two sessions PJT per-week (PJT-2, n = 8) or an active control group (CON, n = 7). Before and after training, participants performed countermovement jumps (CMJ), drop-jumps from a 20-cm drop-height (DJ20), a maximal kicking velocity test (MKV), the 15-m linear sprint-time test, the Meylan test for the assessment of change of direction ability (CoDA), and the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery endurance test (Yo-YoIR1). Results revealed significant main effects of time for the CMJ, DJ20, MKV, 15-m sprint, CoDA, and the Yo-YoIR1 (all p < 0.001; d = 0.57–0.83). Significant group × time interactions were observed for the CMJ, DJ20, MKV, 15-m sprint, CoDA, and the Yo-YoIR1 (all p < 0.05; d = 0.36–0.51). Post-hoc analyses showed similar improvements for PJT-1 and PJT-2 groups in CMJ (Δ10.6%, d = 0.37; and Δ10.1%, d = 0.51, respectively), DJ20 (Δ12.9%, d = 0.47; and Δ13.1%, d = 0.54, respectively), MKV (Δ8.6%, d = 0.52; and Δ9.1%, d = 0.47, respectively), 15-m sprint (Δ8.3%, d = 2.25; and Δ9.5%, d = 2.67, respectively), CoDA (Δ7.5%, d = 1.68; and Δ7.4%, d = 1.16, respectively), and YoYoIR1 (Δ10.3%, d = 0.22; and Δ9.9%, d = 0.26, respectively). No significant pre-post changes were found for CON (all p > 0.05; Δ0.5–4.2%, d = 0.03–0.2). In conclusion, higher PJT exposure in terms of session frequency has no extra effects on female soccer players' physical fitness development when jump volume is equated during a short-term (i.e., 8 weeks) training program. From this, it follows that one PJT session per week combined with regular soccer-specific training appears to be sufficient to induce physical fitness improvements in amateur female soccer players.
Highlights
Plyometric jump training (PJT) is widely and frequently used in soccer to improve players’ physical fitness (Sedano Campo et al, 2009; Ozbar et al, 2014; Ramirez-Campillo et al, 2016c)
The training load monitoring did not consider the load of competitive matches, players from the PJT-1, PJT-2, and active CON achieved similar competitive loads in terms of number of competitive matches played
The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of an 8 week in-season PJT with one session vs. two sessions per week and equal weekly training volume on measures of physical fitness (i.e., CMJ, DJ20, MKV, 15 m sprint, change of direction ability (CoDA), and Yo-YoIR1 tests) in amateur female soccer players
Summary
Plyometric jump training (PJT) is widely and frequently used in soccer to improve players’ physical fitness (Sedano Campo et al, 2009; Ozbar et al, 2014; Ramirez-Campillo et al, 2016c). There is ample evidence that PJT is beneficial to improve components of physical fitness in female soccer players (Sedano Campo et al, 2009; Ozbar et al, 2014; Ramirez-Campillo et al, 2016c; Ramrez-Campillo et al, 2016a) These benefits range from increases in lower muscle power, speed (i.e., linear sprint), change of direction ability (CoDA), kicking distance and velocity, repeated-sprint performance, aerobic endurance, and body composition (Sedano Campo et al, 2009; Ozbar et al, 2014; Ramirez-Campillo et al, 2016c; Ramrez-Campillo et al, 2016a). Further comparative studies are needed to elucidate optimal PJT modalities (i.e., intensity, volume, frequency, etc.) for this group of athletes
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