Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the effects of short-term (4 weeks, twice a week: 8 sessions) plyometric training on agility, jump, and repeated sprint performance in female soccer players. The study comprised 17 females performing this sports discipline. The players were randomly divided into two groups: with plyometric training (PLY) and the control (CON). All players followed the same training program, but the PLY group also performed plyometric exercises. Tests used to evaluate physical performance were carried out immediately before and after PLY. After implementing the short PLY training, significant improvement in jump performance (squat jump: p = 0.04, ES = 0.48, countermovement jump: p = 0.009, ES = 0.42) and agility (p = 0.003, ES = 0.7) was noted in the PLY group. In the CON group, no significant (p > 0.05) changes in physical performance were observed. In contrast, PLY did not improve repeated sprint performance (p > 0.05) among female soccer players. In our research, it was shown that PLY can also be effective when performed for only 4 weeks instead of the 6–12 weeks typically applied.
Highlights
Men’s soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world
Post hoc analysis allowed to demonstrate that significant changes in these indices were only observed in the plyometric training (PLY) group, while in CON, they were not considered significant (Table 2)
There were no effects of plyometric training on the level of average and maximal power, or the fatigue index measured in RAST (Pmean: f = 2.77, p = 0.12; Pmax: f = 2.26, p = 0.15; Fatigue index (FI): f = 0.05, p = 0.83)
Summary
Men’s soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world. On the other hand, women’s soccer is a dynamically developing sport discipline, systematically rising in popularity. Soccer is a sport discipline requiring comprehensive fitness preparation (aerobic and anaerobic) and motor skills. One of the most popular exercise methods, used in soccer, is plyometric training (PLY) [4]. It is considered an important component of athletic strength as well as jump performance and injury prevention programs [5,6]. Plyometric training consists of bodyweight jumping-type exercises, using stretch-shortening cycle muscle action. This cycle enhances the ability of neural and musculotendinous systems to produce maximal force in the shortest possible time, prompting the implementation of plyometric exercise as a bridge between strength and speed [7]. PLY elicits a positive, small-to-moderate effect on jumping, sprint performance, and lower body muscle strength in healthy, recreationally active adults or athletes [8]
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