Abstract
Skilled sprinting is fundamental in many sports, especially to improve athletic performance in youth. This study therefore aimed to investigate the effect of plyometric training on sprint performance in boys aged 9–12 years. Twenty boys were divided into a plyometric training group (n = 9) and a control training group (n = 11). In both groups, participants performed respective training programs once per week for 8 weeks with measurements at baseline and post-intervention. Sprint performance was assessed by 50-m sprint time, sprint velocity, step frequency and step length at 10-m intervals. Jumping performance was assessed using horizontal, vertical and rebound jumps. The plyometric training group showed an improved sprint velocity at 20–30 m, 30–40 m and 40–50 m, and step length at 0–10 m, 20–30 m and 30–40 m (p < 0.05). Furthermore, only the plyometric group showed an increased standing long jump distance and rebound jump performance (p < 0.05). The control group did not show any significant changes in any variable. Our findings suggest that plyometric training in pre-adolescent boys improves sprint velocity and step length at the maximum velocity phase concomitant with increased horizontal and rebound jump performance.
Highlights
High-level sprint performance is a necessary fundamental skill in many sports, in adults, and in youth
Note: Values are mean ± SD; 95% CI, 95% confidence interval; SLJ, standing long jump; Countermovement jump (CMJ), countermovement jump; SJ, squat jump; rebound jumps (RJ)-index, rebound jump index; RJCT, contact time of rebound jump; RJ height, rebound jump height; Bold text indicates statistical significance (p < 0.05); * p < 0.05, significant difference within group
Strength and conditioning coaches and physical education teachers should note that plyometric training, such as that used in this study, improves RJ performance and step length (SL), during the maximal running phase
Summary
High-level sprint performance is a necessary fundamental skill in many sports, in adults, and in youth. There has been high interest in improving fundamental skills, as successful athletes and the physical fitness of general children require the acquisition of a higher sprint performance at a younger age [1,2]. Many considerations are required to establish effective and efficient training methods for improving sprint performance, because youth athletes must attain high-level performance in many physical aspects of their sport (e.g., agility, power and sport-specific techniques). Along with other aspects of physical maturation, previous studies found that development of sprint velocity is associated with an increase in SL [4,5]. SL increases do continue into adulthood, there is a plateau of development in sprint performance associated with a decreased SF during 1.5–2.5 years before peak height velocity (PHV) in boys [4,5,6]
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